Dorset & Wilts 1st XV Plate Semi-Final 18 November 2017

Puddletown 34 East Dorset 5

East Dorset returned to Greenfields for this Dorset & Wilts Plate semi-final tie intent on avenging last week’s 30-0 league whitewash, but found the high flying Villagers in no mood to surrender their eight game unbeaten run.

Puddletown took control of the mid-field from the start, soaking up the visitors’ early pressure and repeatedly turning defence into attack. The home side drew first blood after 15 minutes, with outside centre Matt Watts cutting through to score. Captain Sam Bailey missed the conversion but made amends five minute later adding three points from a penalty.

Pearce Mercer was next on the scoresheet, the big number eight simply shrugging off the tackles as he powered to the line. Bailey duly converted, then just before half-time Watts turned provider, spinning out of a tackle to make a 40 metre break before spotting Ryan Snook running the outside line.
Taking the short pass the full-back sprinted clear to dot down under the posts with Bailey adding the extras for a 22-0 half time lead.

As competitive as ever, old rivals East Dorset stepped up a gear after the break and, undaunted by prop Jez Beale’s unconverted try adding to the home side’s tally, their relentless pressure eventually breached an otherwise resolute defence to fashion a deserved score of their own.

The Villagers though had the final say in a second half contested mainly in mid-field when, with ten minutes to go, Mercer broke off the back of a set piece to score his second try of the game. Bailey converted to take his tally with the boot to 9 points.

Puddletown will now face new boys Amesbury in the final of the Plate competition on 2nd December, but before that, return to league action with a visit to second placed Sherborne Seconds next Saturday.

Geoff Puryer

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