DORCHESTER HIT ON THE COUNTER

From the Echo, first published Tuesday 21st Oct 2003.

Powergen Intermediate Cup, Round Two

DORCHESTER 16 OAKMEADIANS 37

ALTHOUGH Oakmeadians' ability to get the ball wide quickly in counter-attack brought them four tries to Dorchester's one, it was only a late scoring flurry that led to a somewhat lopsided final score.

Until the three-quarter point of the game, underdogs Dorchester were only one score behind and pressing very strongly to take the lead.

But the Poole side from the higher division relieved the pressure with a breakaway try before finishing the game well on top.

An evenly contested first 20 minutes saw the lighter Dorchester pack put pressure on their opponents' possession and jealously guard their own.

The home team gained deserved reward with two penalties in quick succession by Tom Scott as the visitors illegally slowed down release of the ball.

But the lead disappeared a few moments later as Oakmeadians committed the home defence to one side of the field then produced sweeping passes to send winger Staniland in the opposite corner. McFarlane converted well and added another shortly afterwards when Stark got outside the Dorchester cover to power over.

The visitors' swagger looked ominous for Dorchester, but the Poole side were made to pay as they attempted to open up in their own territory straight from the kick-off.

Joe Morris anticipated well to intercept a lazy pass and race in under the posts. Scott's conversion cut the gap to a single point, and though a McFarlane penalty made the half-time score 13-17, the portents looked good for a close second half.

Again Dorchester started strongly, and maintained a clear territorial advantage but were unable to cross the visitors' line, despite passing up two kickable penalty opportunities to set up close range attacks.

Unfortunately, they then lost a further try as Oakmeadians gained possession in their own half and outflanked a home side scrambling to reorganise from an attacking formation.

Undaunted, Dorchester set out again on attack. A David Gower break with support from Joe Morris seemed certain to bring a score until Morris was felled by a high tackle from the last line of defence.

A simple penalty seemed inadequate, but when Dorchester opted to run the ball a try still seemed likely.

Amazingly, the next six phases of play brought six successive penalties to Dorchester, all within 15 metres of the visitors' line. But the referee took no other action and eventually the home side settled for three points.

Their momentum had been halted however and Oakmeadians took advantage with a late converted try and two long range penalties to close out the game in the final moments.

Dorchester: A Cowling, Harries (Harvey 50mins), Morris, Frantzen, Spenceley, T Scott, Gower, Legg, Anderson (Kershaw 65mins), Weston (Boyt 65mins), Andrews, Barrett, Gerrity, Elliott, Wright. Replacement not used: Broadbent.Scorers: Dorchester - Try: Morris. Conversion: Scott. Penalties: Scott (3).

Oakmeadians - Tries: Staniland (2), Stark, Croker. Converions@: McFarlane (4). Penalties: McFarlane (3).