DAN Draper says there is a “real buzz” around Wimborne after the Minstermen beat North Dorset 34-5 to top Southern Counties South.

Wimborne repelled early pressure from their hosts and grabbed a half-time lead through tries from Tom Moysey and Ben Hunt.

The away side were pegged back when North Dorset crossed shortly after the break but that body blow merely served to further stoke the fires. Bartlett ran in for a hat-trick of tries, with Moysey adding a second of his own.

Ed Carter and Declan Foley also made try-scoring contributions, leaving manager Draper to reflect on a terrific afternoon’s work.

He said: “There is a real buzz around the club at present with two games played and two convincing wins. This is all down to hard work from the players, coaches and management.”

Stuart Pearce crossed twice as Ellingham & Ringwood secured a 22-18 bonus-point victory at Ventnor in their Hampshire One opener.

Ellingham fell behind to a penalty but hit back strongly and Pearce, Callum Butler and Chris Frost scored unconverted tries to give the Es a 12-point advantage.

Ventnor rallied, however, kicking a penalty before the break and then adding two second-half tries – one of them converted – to edge into an 18-15 lead.

But Pearce and Butler had the last word. Number eight Pearce ran in for his second try, with Butler’s boot delivering the extras.

Ellingham & Ringwood women won 20-14 at Southampton to make it two wins from two in National Challenge South Two.

Paige Darvill-White’s fine individual try was all either team had to show for their first-half efforts. But the Es stepped it up after the break.

Jas Clarke and Ruth Miles both crossed before the home team responded with a converted try.

Darvill-White went over a second time to stretch Ellingham’s lead and ensure a further converted Southampton try would prove a mere consolation.