WIMBORNE III 12 PUDDLETOWN 34

FIVE-TRY Puddletown secured a bonus-point win at Wimborne to keep up their pursuit of the top three sides in the league.

The home side applied all the early pressure but Puddletown were first on the scoresheet with captain Tom Yeatman slotting over a penalty.

Wimborne regained their composure and took advantage of an infringement by the Villagers at a line-out.

A quick tap penalty was fed down the line for the hosts’ right -wing to score an unconverted try.

Wimborne continued their dominance as they battered the Puddletown try line, but the Villagers’ defence stood firm until they strayed offside at a ruck.

Again, quick thinking Wimborne took a tap penalty, passing the ball to the opposite side of the pitch for veteran centre Adey Turner to go over for a converted try and a 12-3 lead.

Against the run of play, Puddletown full-back Sam Stockley gathered a clearance deep inside his own half before scything through the home defence.

He was stopped 10 metres short of the try line, though number eight JP Perrett was on hand to take the offload and go over. Yeatman converted.

The second half saw the home side start to tire and the visitors began to play an expansive game.

From a line-out on the home 22, the Puddletown forwards caught and held the ball in, scrum-half Lucas Frizzle saw a gap and ran through the defence to score in the corner.

The score went unconverted but the Villagers led 15-12.

Straight from the kick-off, the ball was caught cleanly by Puddletown prop Jono Wilson and he showed pace to run 40 metres through the Wimborne defence. He offloaded to hooker Chris Haines who was up in support and he went over.

Puddletown continued to apply pressure to the Wimborne line, forcing the home side to give away a penalty.

Centre Jez Michael-Beale acted quickly, took a quick tap and drove over to score. Yeatman converted to make it 27-12.

Wimborne fought back but Yeatman put in a clearing kick that was chased down by winger Zak Westell.

He caught Wimborne in possession and, after the ball was turned over, Stockley held on to a pass that was on his bootlaces before out-stripping the home tacklers to cross. Yeatman added the extras.