WIMBORNE succumbed to their 11th loss of the campaign as they went down 17-10 to South West One East rivals Royal Wootton Bassett.

Defeat left the Minstermen ninth in the table with 40 points from 19 games.

Bassett were intent on playing at a fast tempo from the get-go, which eventually led to a converted try in the seventh minute.

With all the home team’s endeavour, Wimborne’s defensive line then stayed resilient – despite losing Steve King to the sin-bin for 10 minutes.

Only a successful penalty allowed the hosts to extend to 10 points their advantage before the interval.

Bassett started on the front foot following the break and Wimborne were powerless to prevent another score.

Despite losing Rob Best for a spell in the bin, Wimborne got themselves on the scoreboard when, after a drive towards the line, Josh Booth secured a try which was converted by Lewis Munster.

With the Minstermen now beginning to impose themselves on the contest, Munster’s penalty effort sailed fractionally wide.

It then looked like Munster, in rounding the last line of defence, had secured the all-important score for a bonus point but he was called back for a foot in touch.

Finally, Wimborne’s pressure was rewarded when a second penalty opportunity was handed to Munster. On this occasion, he slotted it firmly between the posts.

Despite one last-gasp effort from the visitors deep into stoppage time, high-flying Bassett held firm to earn victory.

  • A resounding comeback from Dorset Dockers earned them a place in the final of the Southern Counties Cup.

Dockers fought back from 17 points down at the interval to beat Berks/Bucks & Oxon Premier outfit Tadley 24-17 at Christchurch Rec.

After conceding three tries without reply in the opening period, a half-time rallying call from Dockers’ players and coaching staff gave the hosts a new lease of life.

A wild pass from Tadley intercepted 80 metres from their line allowed 17-year-old Oli Mowlem to scamper home for a try, which was converted by Dan Mallard.

The Dockers’ pack then exerted some pressure and a Tadley scrum disintegrated for winger Mowlem to show dazzling feet and pinch his second try of the match.

Time was ticking by but the hosts showed patience and the strength of second-row Jordan Cutler allowed him to power over and help level the up the contest with five minutes remaining.

In a pulsating finale, Tadley broke away but were thwarted by Dockers centre Liam Kenney.

And the resulting counter-attack proved decisive with a well-taken try by Jon Vickery – converted by Mallard – sealing a dramatic Dockers triumph.

  • Charlie Jewiss’s try-double proved in vain as New Milton fell to an agonising 34-33 home defeat against Bognor.
  • Swanage & Wareham's scheduled Dorset & Wilts One South fixture at home against Sherborne II was cancelled on Saturday.