WARMINSTER suffered a first defeat of the Dorset & Wilts 1 South season as fellow unbeaten side Lytchett Minster took the honours 18-14 at Folly Lane.

With their opponents having only conceded three points in their first three league games and averaging nearly 50 points scored, the Amber and Blues knew they were in for a tough afternoon.

The visitors started the better and should have gone ahead through a couple of early penalty opportunities but the kickers were off form.

They finally did get the lead their dominance deserved when the visitors rumbled over the Warminster tryline for an unconverted score.

Lytchett then pulled further clear following a quick tap penalty near, although the hosts had doubts about the legality of the score.

Somewhat aggrieved, Warminster went on the attack and reduced the deficit when Reid Curtis crashed over out wide, while Lewis Noble nailed the conversion.

Before the half was out Lytchett finally landed one of their penalty opportunities to take a 13-7 advantage.

The second half followed the same pattern as the first, with Warminster struggling with interpretations by the referee. This gave Lytchett easy yards into their half and a third try soon arrived.

The Amber and Blues’ afternoon went from bad to worse when they were reduced to 14 as replacement scrum-half Soro received a yellow card for a high tackle, which became a red for some ill-advised back chat.

Warminster are not lacking in fighting spirit and Dan McIntyre’s try and a Gavin Pratt conversion gave them hope but they were unable to threaten again before the final whistle.