Sat 29 Jan 2022, 14:00
On Saturday 29th January, North Dorset men entertained Oakmeadians at Slaughtergate. North Dorset made a bright start from Oaks kick-off and attacked their try line until the visitors transgressed, resulting in a Dorset scrum 5 metres out. After several North Dorset put-ins, Oaks collapsed the scrum, and the home side were rewarded with a penalty try 7-0. Oaks rallied from the kick-off, putting together an excellent series of moves ranging from side to side until Dorset ran out of numbers, and they scored an unconverted try in the corner 7-5. Dorset replied to this by mounting a prolonged attack which ended with a kick ahead just rolling into touch in front of the Dorset Winger. Dorset continued in the same vein pressurising Oaks defence and, following a series of scrums, were awarded a penalty which Sam Jones converted into points 10-5. The game flowed in favour of Oaks, who capitalised with an unconverted try 10-10. Game on!! Dorset failed to go 10 metres with the kick-off but took the resultant scrum on the centre line against the head. Oaks infringed at a lineout 10 metres from their line, and after several scrums, Dorset managed to push them over for a try claimed by Brandon Ward and converted by Sam Jones 17-10, the halftime score.
The 2nd half began with Oaks mounting a series of attacks resulting in an unconverted try in the corner 17-15. This sparked a reaction from North Dorset, with Charlie Jobling scoring after a decisive run and Sam Jones making the conversion 24-15. The game ebbed and flowed for the next 10 minutes or so until Charlie used his speed again to score another, converted by Sam 31-15. With little time left on the clock, Oaks mounted a desperate attack and scored in the corner, unconverted 31-20, which was to be the full-time score.
The crowd enjoyed a match that had lots of action but was often let down by players trying for the miracle pass or being over-ambitious. However, North Dorset always seemed to have the trump card and would not lose to Oaks, who had beaten them at the start of the season.
