TEAM manager Dan Draper felt a back-to-basics approach had paid dividends for Wimborne in their 64-11 victory over Southern Counties South rivals Dorset Dockers.

Returning hero Anthony Fitch, playing his first game for the club since turning out for the youth team, scored four tries to lead the rout against bottom-placed Dockers at Potterne Park.

Doug Robertson went over twice and further tries from Ed Carter, Jim Brokenshire and Tom Moysey helped the Minstermen consolidate their position at the summit.

Moysey added no fewer than five conversions and Fitch chipped in with two as Wimborne recovered from an unconvincing start to record a comprehensive victory.

Team boss Draper said: "A frustrating start to the game allowed Dockers to bully us and going back to basics was the only way to get to a grip on the game.

"Stand-out performances from back row Nathan Warren and tight-head prop Tyler Adams helped us get back on the front foot and it was a comfortable win in the end.

"This result and others elsewhere going in our favour means we have extended our lead at the top of the league and, with Trowbridge visiting on Saturday, we need to make sure we start much better."

Dockers started brightly and got among Wimborne, preventing them from establishing any control during the early stages.

However, Wimborne drew first blood when, following good work by Joe Bartlett, the much-travelled Fitch athletically scooped in the ball to score.

Dockers seized on a host of Wimborne errors with two penalties and a try from captain Alex Priest giving them a surprise 11-5 lead.

Wimborne regained their composure and Robertson finished a flowing move by taking the final pass to score the easiest of tries with Moysey converting to put them back in front.

On the stroke of half-time, Fitch gratefully intercepted a stray pass to score his second try, which gave Wimborne a cushion to take into the break.

The second half was an entirely different affair and, while Dockers were intent on throwing the ball around at every opportunity, this only played into Wimborne’s hands with a number of breakdowns being turned to their advantage.

As a result, the Minstermen scored a further seven unanswered tries to rack up their biggest score of the season.

Fitch completed his four-timer, Adams went over following a well-controlled forward drive and Carter, Jim Brokenshire, Robertson and Moysey all scored in the latter stages.

Minstermen: Tinsdale, R Brokenshire, Draper, Foley, Degeura, Warren, King, Carter, Maidment, Moysey, J Brokenshire, Hamer, Robertson, Fitch, Bartlett. Replacements: Adams, Starr, Alex Kerley.