Blandford RFC hosted Thatcham RFC for a pre season game. Before the match there was a minute silence held in memory of Dave Burry. Big D was a stalwart of the club holding the position of vice chairman for a number of years, his enthusiasm and passion for all things rugby he helped the club get where it is now, a massive presence on the sideline and around the club, he will be hugely missed. Our thoughts and prayers go out to the family.

On a hot afternoon there was 4 x 20 sessions played with both teams fielding over 30 players a mixture of 1st XV and 2nd XV players, a fast paced game followed with a number of options and combinations tried with players in new positions, it was a great opportunity to get ready for the season ahead.

Thank you to Thatcham for coming and helping make a great day of it.

New players of all ages are invited to join us training on Tuesdays and Thursdays 7pm at the Milldown School Blandford, or for a drink in the clubhouse in the town centre where all upcoming Internationals and RWC matches will be available to watch.

Report submitted by: Justin Frampton, Blandford Rugby Club Chairman

Blandford 1st XV played Melksham looking to get their first win of the season.

For the first time this season, Blandford were able to put out a strong side and show exactly what they were capable of.

The game started at a high tempo, with the home pack hitting rucks hard and giving clean ball to their backs. Within the first few minutes, after a couple of forward phases, the ball was released to full back Ben Krauss who went under the posts for the first try of the game. Ben easily slotted over the conversion. A further try was then scored by the impressive James Baker, again converted easily.

With the forwards now dominating the set pieces the backs showed what they were capable of when given the ball, by scoring two further tries. One from veteran Lee Haim and the other by James Macrae. Ben Krauss managed to convert one of these trys to make it 26 - 0.

Melksham then scored two well worked trys which were both converted to make it 26 - 14 at halftime.

In the second half both sides gave it their all, and the score remained the same for a further 15 minutes. At this point Blandford brought on Skipper Andy Williamson and Kev Robbins. Again after good work from the forwards, James Burry on one of his trademark breaks was tackled only a few yards from the line. Andy Williamson was able to quickly gather the ball and barge over the line with the help of Kev Robbins to score Blandfords fifth try which was subsequently converted.

With Melksham now tiring, Sam Gritton on his first team debut was able to gather the ball and out sprint his opposite number to bag Blandfords sixth try. Then from a well worked scrum, Tommy Booth was able to power his way through a couple of tackles and score a try out wide. This was again converted by Krauss.

The last try of the game was a move, one which Blandford have not seen for some time. James Burry on another of his runs, managed to slip the ball out of the tackle to fly half James Macrae. At this point of the game, Macrae was struggling with an injury to his knee and looked like Forrest Gump while sprinting to the line. Ben Krauss converted the try to make the final score 52 - 14.

Credit must go to Melksham, whom never gave up, and we are sure to have a tougher encounter at their ground.

Report submitted by: Andy Williamson, Team Captain