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     DORSET AND WILTS DIV 1 (SOUTH) – 06/07 FIXTURES

Rugby Report

Dorset & Wilts Div 1 (South) 27th October 2006

Blandford 1^st XV 0 Salisbury 2^nd XV 62

Despite a heavy defeat, Blandford skipper Phill Meadon was still upbeat about his young teams prospects. “We were well beaten by a better side.” Said Meadon. “But the guys stuck at it well. Salisburys’ first team are riding high in South West 2, and the strength they have in depth was clear today. We again fielded a very young backline, who hopefully learnt from the experience. I won’t use injuries as and excuse, but we were disrupted up front, with two of the front five out unfit from last week, and we lost two more to injury by half time. Overall the result was a disappointment, but the attitude was good, and we are looking forward now to next week and really testing Dorchester’s first team in the cup.”

Playing against a string breeze in the first half, Blandford were always up against it as the well drilled visitors continually pushed the hosts deep in to their own twenty two, making the most of every chance to rack up a 32 point lead by the break. “Salisbury executed their back play with the kind of clinical accuracy which we are aspiring to.” Commented Meadon. “Although the score line suggests otherwise, we actually defended quite well, as only a couple of tries can be attributed to slack tackling. Salisbury would probably agree they still had to work for their scores, and it’s a compliment to them they kept up the intensity.”

After the break, Blandford needed to start strongly to get back in to the match. However, within seconds of the restart, Blandfords first attack broke down allowing Salisbury to break away for another try, killing any hopes of a come back. Salisbury continued to build a formidable lead, finishing the match with an impressive eleven tries. Blandford take on Dorchester in the Dorset & Wilts Cup at home on Saturday.    

Dorset & Wilts Div 1 (South) 29th October 2006

Blandford 1^st XV 10 Puddletown 1^st XV 0

Dorset & Wilts Div 1 (South)

Blandford 1^st XV 60 Wimborne 2^nd XV 10  

Dorset & Wilts Div 3 (South)

Bridport 2^nd XV 12 Blandford 2^nd XV 53

Blandfords second team maintained their promotion push with an emphatic victory at Bridport. After an even start to the contest, Blandford opened the scoring through skipper Dave Cox after good approach work from the back line. For the rest of the half Blandford dominated, quickly adding further scores by Simon Worfolk, Ernest Henly and Mark Vuklevic. The final minutes of the half saw Dai Jones set off on a blistering run for the try of the match, and with Kev Robbins kicking a penalty to go with two conversions, the visitors went in to the break well on top. Bridport came back at Blandford from the restart, but after weathering the storm, Blandford hit back hard. Jones added his second before Ian Fowler side stepped his way over, Robbins stricking both conversions with aplomb. Replacement Dave Judd grabbed Blandfords last try, Fowler adding the conversion to complete his sides scoring. Blandford appeared to relax in the final quarter, allowing Bridport to claim two late tries as reward for their continued commitment and fighting spirit. “A great result.” Commented captain Cox. “All the guys contributed, and I hope we can sustain this level of performance. It was a shame to conceed two late scores, but Bridport deserved some reward for putting in so much effort.”

Dorset & Wilts Div 1 (South)

 Wimborne 2^nd XV 5 Blandford 1^st XV 29

Blandford ended the year on a high, with a fine local derby win. “Wimborne were far stronger today than when we played earlier in the season.” Said Blandford skipper Phill Meadon. “It was a tough match, and on that evidence I don’t doubt they [Wimborne] will begin to climb the table in the new year.” The visitors success was built on the foundations of a solid effort from the front five. John Young, Kev Robbins and Adie Collins out scrummaged their opponents in the front row, and with 18 year old debutant Alex Ricketts impressing at lock, Blandford dominated the set piece. No. 8 Simon Worfolk opened the scoring for the Blandford with a close range effort, quickly followed by Nabbs, the full back cutting a great line through the home defence. However, Wimborne rallied well, forcing Blandford to defend their line for long periods, and going agonisingly close on several occasions. With only a ten point lead, Blandford started the second period determined to close the game out. Nabbs quickly added his second before Meadon and Robbins combined well to send the hooker over for a rare try. Wimborne again came back at Blandford, before Meadon used his ample frame to good effect, crashing over to seal the win. Sam Bailey adding to the total with two conversions. The final play of the match saw Wimborne gain some reward for their efforts, running the ball wide for the winger to touch down. “That was probably our most complete performance of the season.” Added Meadon. “We looked sharp in attack, and when forced in to defence we were solid. Hopefully we can carry this forward for the rest of the season.”

Dorset & Wilts Div 1 (South)

Blandford 1^st XV 14 Swanage & Wareham 2^nd XV 24

 Despite finishing on the losing side, Blandford captain Phill Meadon was able to draw on the positives from his teams’ performance. “It is a mark of our recent improved form that we can come away disappointed not to have got a result against a side as strong as Swans.” Commented Meadon. “We matched them in virtually all departments, and at 14 points to 17 with 15 minutes to play we were confident we could go on to win the game. As it was, Swans showed why they are up at the top of the table and dug deep to come up with a try at the critical point. But I can’t fault our players for their performance or commitment.” Earlier Blandford had suffered a disastrous start, making a mess of the kick off, allowing Swans to turn over possession and drive over for a first minute try. The visitors used the conditions to good effect in the opening period, making use of the strong wind to force Blandford in to long periods of defensive duties. However, the hosts competed well at every opportunity, restricting Swans to only a further two tries before the break. Unfortunately for the home side, the wind that had aided Swans in the first half suddenly dropped, but despite this, Blandford began the second half determined to make their mark on the game. A sustained spell of pressure on the Swans line resulted in prop John Young bursting through to score, Meadon adding the conversion. Swans responded well, pushing hard to close the game out. But from one of those attacks, Blandford struck again. Winger Dave Judd making a clever interception to race clear and go under the posts, and with Meadon adding the conversion the game was wide open. Both teams had chances to secure the match in the final minutes, but it was Swans who managed to create the vital score, recycling quick ruck ball to open up Blandfords defence for the winning try. Despite the wind and a heavy pitch, both teams deserved much credit for producing an entertaining game in far from ideal conditions. Blandford tough start to the new year continues on Saturday with a difficult trip to high flyers Salisbury.

Dorset & Wilts Div 1 (South)

Salisbury 2^nd XV 26 Blandford 1^st XV 7  

Dorset & Wilts Div 1 (South)

Puddletown 1^st XV 5 Blandford 1^st XV 5  XV

Dorset & Wilts Div 1 (South)

Blandford 1^st XV v Dorchester 2^nd XV

A much anticipated derby match had to be scratched due to the county towns’ second string being unable to raise a side to fulfill the fixture. “Although Blandford we are handed a walkover win, we are disappointed to gain the points in this manner.” Said a Blandford spokesman. “It’s a shame to see a club with Dorchesters’ history struggling like this.

Dorset & Wilts Div 1 (South)

Blandford 1^st XV 12 Bournemouth 2^nd XV 24

Blandford were left kicking themselves after allowing a 12 point lead slip against a strong Bournemouth outfit. After weathering the visitors strong start, Blandford began to hit their stride against a team fortified by a number of first team players, forcing Bournemouth on to the defensive. The breakthrough came after fifteen minutes, a loose ball on the halfway was collected by winger Lee Haim, who sprinted clear to touch down. Blandford continued to apply the pressure, and a succession of forward drives resulted in prop John Young muscling over, and with Kev Robbins converting, Blandford seemed well on their way to a creating an upset. However, Bournemouth regained their composure, and set about getting back in to the match. The visitors began to push Blandford back with a number of powerful driving mauls, utilizing the tactic to good effect from a line out to force their way over for their first try. As halftime approached, quick thinking by the visitors stand off released his centre for a converted try to level the scores. After the break, it was Bournemouth who grabbed the vital opening score to take the lead, again mauling well to open up the Blandford defence. With both packs prepared to battle it out up front, the game continued at a breathless pace, but despite all their endeavour, Blandford were unable to find a way through to the Bournemouth line. And as the home team visibly tired in the final minutes, Bournemouth added a controversial final score, the try being awarded despite the winger appearing to drop the ball over the line. “I think we lacked a little bit of belief and the conviction to maintain our performance for eighty minutes.” Said Blandfords Nick Frampton. “Although we can take a lot of positives from the game, it was disappointing not to have built on our lead. Against a strong side like Bournemouth, you won’t get a second chance.”