Sat 30 Oct 2021, 15:00
The game started with north Dorset attacking well, but they could not cross the line with the last pass not quite going to hand and plays being rushed, which led to a frantic first 10. Unfortunately, Oakmeadians managed to cross the try line after a quick tap penalty 5 metres out by their number 8 successful conversion, 7 - 0
North replied with a great restart, attacking hard multiple times 5 metres away from the try line. Still, unfortunately, an intercepted offload took the pressure off Oaks, which led to a prolonged period of defending from North with big hits from the centre partnership of Trevis and Lunn. Unfortunately, numerous penalties were given away, which eventually led to Luke Biggs receiving a yellow card. However, north a man down in the scrum still held their own and turned a scrum over against the head with great work from Gavin Weeks, who is celebrating his tenth rugby anniversary this weekend, too, so great to see him performing well.
Oaks won a penalty in front of the posts that they successfully converted, leading them in at halftime 10-0.
A few stern words from coaches Andrew Clunes and Taff got the spirit and fire bursting out of the boys and also a few changes, Gavin Bain replaced by Thomas Barfoot and James Trevis being replaced by Gary Smith
Unfortunately, the second half started very poorly, restart not taken clearly by North, which led to Oaks scoring within the 1st minute of the second half after some quick thinking by their scrum half, 17-0. North had 39 minutes to turn the scoreboard around. They were backed by a large number of travelling supporters who were entirely behind the team! Some significant phase play and management from fly-half Robbie Sampson saw North creeping back into Oaks 22. Some great carrying from Bettesworth, Atkins and Barfoot, saw ND putting pressure on Oaks. Oaks winger had been on the pitch less than a minute but couldn’t take the stress of Atkins and received a yellow for shoving him. North got a scrum 5 metres out, and with so great scrummaging by Stickland and the rest of the front 5, North saw a penalty try awarded. This led to a yellow card for Oaks Scrum Half, who decided to ruin Atkins afternoon and take away a walkover try from him after guiding the pack forward.
The score was 17-7, and Oaks down to 13 players. North stepped up a gear or two, seeing the backs get more ball Mitchell Pearce making runs up the line after some great work by the backline to create space out wide. A few big runs from skipper Adam Trevis leading the way, brushing defenders off left, right, and centre. Back up by Henry Barron with some big carries breaking the line and making yards. North was now camped in Oaks half, trying to use the numerical advantage but unfortunately still not quite getting through. A little cuddle on the floor left Perry and an Oaks playing sitting out for 10.
During the last few minutes, North looked like they would get some more points on the board to get something out of the game, but unfortunately, they didn’t have the finishing touch. As a result, the match finished 17-7.
A word from Head Coach Taff - “disappointing” followed on with “I got team selection wrong; the Lineout didn’t function, and we were taught a lesson at the ruck.
A good lesson to learn, and we will get back to it next week as we continue to build. However, the scrum went well, and the players worked all the way to the 80.”
Thank you to all travelling supporters, and we look forward to the North Dorset taking on Puddletown and the ND Badgers taking on Warminster 2s next week.
MOTM Henry Barron
Report by Charley P
