New Blackmore Vale, October 1, 2021 99
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Rugby boss touches down in Dorset The head of England Rugby paid a visit to North Dorset RFC last week. Bill Sweeney talked to players, coaches, and board members about life in a rural grassroots club and how the start of the season was going. The club’s director of development, Alec Newing, said: “It has been a positive start to the season, with decent numbers out on the pitches. Overall, we are
doing well and constantly thinking about engaging our members and the wider community. “In recent months we have been building a stronger relationship with Bath Rugby, who are making great strides in supporting the community game in Dorset, Somerset and Wiltshire.” Newing added that North Dorset RFC had gained new friends in the community by
running events when safe, including mixed touch rugby on Friday nights, the ‘World’s Biggest Beer Garden’ in the summer and the ND 7s rugby and music festival. Sweeney said: “Every aspect of my visit was both enjoyable and productive. Congratulations on building such a special environment at the club, you can feel it upon arrival, and you should be very proud.” Back row, from left: Laura Gillingham, Hannah Winton, Lucie Spooner, Jill Sullivan, Charlotte Morrison, Nicola Grover. Front, from left: Holly Morgan, Jemma Sullivan, Honor Gallia, Sue Stevens. Not pictured: Isabelle Ford and Laura McClinton
Shillingstone Ladies retain their crown Shillingstone Ladies retained their title of Dorset’s Super 8s cricket league champions with a game to spare this summer. The Ladies won all five games, overcoming early season rain and many rescheduled fixtures to ensure a full season including two challenge competitions and friendlies against Devizes, Hursley Park and Charlton Down.
Jill Sullivan said: “We would like to thank all of those involved with coaching, umpiring, scoring, pitch preparation, spectating, the invaluable tea ladies and of course all of our amazing players and captain Jemma Sullivan.” If you would like to join the team, contact Jill on 01258 821069 or Leslie Elsworth (07850 749736). Indoor training is being planned.
They’re keen on kurling at Stalbridge Hall Stalbridge Petanque and Croquet Club has purchased a new kurling set to play indoors at Stalbridge Hall. The club was formed three years ago by Bob Lovell, who approached the hall with a view to creating a terrain on adjacent vacant land. The courts were opened a year ago and are open every day for the community to play for free. The new Kurling kit gives an indoor option on Thursday afternoon club days. The club meets in the hall between 2-5pm: new members are welcome – membership costs £10 a year plus £2 on the day to cover refreshments. Contact Bob on 01963 362353.
Three tries for Puddletown’s hooker Joe Swain on debut Dorset & Wilts Div 1 South Oakmeadians RFC Puddletown RFC Within five minutes of the new rugby season, Puddletown were on the scoreboard, a well worked
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try with winger Ollie Raines dotting down in the corner, followed by a second try from debutant hooker Joe Swain. The home side fought to stay in the game and were helped by two yellow cards to Puddletown. Oaks took full advantage of
the extra player and scored two tries (one converted) to go into the break 12-10 up. Oaks extended the lead when their winger raced in to score under the posts: 19-10. But the hefty Puddletown pack started to gain some ascendancy in the set piece
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and in the loose. From a penalty, the ball was given to Swain who charged over for his second try: 19-15. And from a line-out, it was Swain again who collected and barrelled over to score. Yeatman added the extras to make it 19-22.
