Sat 12 Feb 2022, 14:30
North Dorset Badgers travelled north, up over the Deverills, to face Warminster’s 2nd XV. The Badgers arrived with a strong squad including some familiar faces as well as new colt debutants Henry Dimmack and Ollie Barge. The inclusion of the pair added some youthful energy and some great skills that helped the Badgers to an impressive 82-5 victory.
The game’s highlights consisted of a feast a tries over the course of the whole 80 minutes, including an impressive hat-trick by winger/flanker Sam Vincent who despite not favouring his position on the wing, finished off some well-worked plays. Further, try scorers in the backs included fullback Tom Bridger-Chilvers whose darting run beat, several defenders, to score under the posts and Scrum-half Tom Judd who also converted 9/10 of his efforts from the tee on the day. Winger, Harry Phipps also got in on the action, like an 18 stone Fijian, “Phippsadolo” sat down the cover defender to get on the scoreboard. Another speedy effort, this time from replacement fullback Jack Leanne saw him run one in from his own 22, leaving replacement winger Charlie “Chucky” Hill struggling to keep up in support.
Forward names on the score sheet included Luke Biggs, who like any modern-day hooker, found himself on the wing to run in an impressive effort and Tom Barfoot, who fell over the line. The forward effort did not stop there, however. Led by the man of the match captain, Zac Pearce, the badger pack provided a solid platform as well as provided some dynamic interplay of their own during the game.
A significant contribution to the tally was also provided by centre Mitchell Pearce, whose hard running lines enabled him to bag 4 on the day. However, it was also to be his downfall, after dotting down over the line for what would have been his 5th, the referee called a forward pass. Pearce’s dramatic, high pitched reaction to this decision was worthy of an Oscar, instead, he received Richard of the day for his performance.
A big mention must also go to the opposition, Warminster, who despite the scoreline, kept fighting until the 80th minute. Their efforts did not go without reward, after some prolonged pressure towards the end of the game, their sizeable second row went crashing over for a consultation try. The afternoon provided an enjoyable afternoon of rugby and the Badgers now look forward to hosting Amesbury RFC in a 2nd vs 3rd league clash next weekend at Slaughtergate.
Report by TWEB
