Marlborough 38 - 28 North Dorset
Marlborough completed their season with an excellent 5th place finish after an exciting game.
The visitors this time were North Dorset on another sunny afternoon. The home team made a great start to the game with some fast and flowing rugby. Carrying on the display from the win against Wimborne the team were soon on the attack and moving the ball at every opportunity.
Scrum half Jake Williams was able to give quick ball to outside half Moree Nailago, who was then able to call the moves and set up the backs. Maika Qiolevu and Ratu Vuira were showing some great skills and always looking to link up with some exciting play. The quick ruck ball was causing the visitors problems and early tries were taken by Sam Gouldbourn, Jake Williams and Ratu Vuira. Williams converting two of the tries.
At 19-0 the team were looking for an early bonus point, but North Dorset came charging back into the game. Their pacy winger was always a threat and the visitors grabbed a couple of tries and converted both for a half time score of 19-14.
A good team talk at half time and Marlborough started the second half as they started the first and back to the flowing rugby. No. 8 Inosi Laqekoro, who caused problems all day with his powerful running, was constantly looking to break through the defensive line.
His fellow back rower Sam Gouldbourn was usually in support. Gouldbourn scored his second try to cap off a great season for him. Also there were two tries for Jack Lynd. Williams converted two of the second half tries.
As with the first half, North Dorset did come back at the home team and again scored two converted tries of their own, so that the first and half second half scores mirrored each other, to give a final score of 38-28.