FROME 18

DORCHESTER 7

DORCHESTER were left to reflect on a late surge from Frome as the Somerset side won 18-7 in their Counties One Tribute Southern South contest.

Although Dorchester returned from fourth-placed Frome empty-handed, they can be proud of their efforts, and it was only in the last 10 minutes that Frome put the game to bed.

The home side started the better and pinned Dorchester in their own half but were unable to break through the county town outfit’s resolute defence.

Eventually, the hosts had to settle for three points from a penalty in front of the posts.

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Frome then continued their attacks until their all-action wing forward crashed over by the posts for a converted try and a 10-0 lead.

A yellow card for Jack Adams’ tip tackle seemed to galvanize Dorchester and when they found space down the right wing it was only a high tackle that prevented the score, the referee having no hesitation in awarding a penalty try and a yellow card for 10-7.

Trailing by three points, facing the wind, and running up the slope in the second half, it appeared that Dorchester would be up against it.

However, the third quarter was dominated by the visitors and with a little more composure they could easily have taken the lead.

Injuries to Cohen Emery and Tom Louch did not help their cause, while Frome for their part suffered two yellow cards and a red for a punch.

As Dorchester tired in the last ten minutes the hosts finally closed out the win, with a second try and finally a straightforward penalty.  This fixture proved just how well Dorchester are working as a united squad mixing youth with experience and nurturing young players to perform at senior level.

Yet again, Dorchester had colts earning a place in the matchday squad and developing its own home-grown talent is key to the club’s growth.

With four games left, the side now sit eighth in the table. The first team squad now have a weekend off before their next fixture at Surcouf Park against the side above them, Combe Down, followed by games against the top three sides in the league to finish their campaign.

Meanwhile, Dorchester A travelled to Chapel Gate to lock horns with Bournemouth Thirds and came away with a bonus point after a hard-fought and combative 19-17 loss.

Four more of Dorchester’s colts stepped up to senior rugby as Adam Thompson, Finley Ling, Finley Greenslade, and Charlie Brooks all made debuts for the side.

Despite Dorchester taking an early lead, the experienced opposition used their physicality to keep the game tight, taking the lead for the first time with only minutes left holding out for the win.

However, with 11 colts in a squad of 20, and an average age of 22, there are many positives to take away for the future of the club and its next generation of players.