DORCHESTER 29

BOURNEMOUTH III 23

Match report by Tim Beavis

As in previous weeks, Dorchester produced a much-improved second half display to overcome a very strong Bournemouth side on Saturday, further stamping their authority on their place at the top of the league table.

Dorchester made the perfect start when Jamie Morgan spotted a huge hole in the visitor’s disorganised defence and strolled over for the opening score straight from the off.

However, the rest of the first half belonged to the side from Bournemouth.

The visitors utilised their speedy backs to great effect and repeatedly stretched Dorchester’s defence to breaking point. It was just a matter of time until they scored.

It was a simple penalty that first put Bournemouth on the board, opening the flood gates as a burst of three tries followed, leaving Dorchester reeling. The first was from a well executed lineout drive and the next two were courtesy of the backs.

All three tries went unconverted and Dorchester could consider themselves fortunate to reach half time only fifteen points behind.

Starting the second half, Dorchester needed an early score to get them back in the game and it arrived within minutes of the restart.

Hooker Josh Ovey crossed on the right after a big carry by prop Chris Elliott and an audacious offload. Callum King’s successful conversion made it a single score game.

The host’s continued to have the upper hand, and eventually the pressure told when flanker Charlie Sharpe charged down an attempted clearance gathered the ball and outpaced the defence to score. King again adding the extras.

Dorchester knew that a single point lead would not be enough but when Callum King crashed over from close range, converted his own try and added a penalty goal it appeared that they had done enough.

Bournemouth however had other ideas. A try from the visitors in the right hand corner closed the gap to just six points, setting up a dramatic finish to the game.

In a frantic final few minutes Dorchester just managed to keep their line intact before Tom Gower gleefully hacked the ball into touch to end proceedings and confirm the comeback win.

Dorchester team: Evans, Ovey, Elliott, L King, Burch, Hosford, Sharpe, Newsam; Clark, Foot; Gower, C King, McKendry, Morgan; Moss. Bamlet, Howell, Sharp.