A PATCHED-UP Warminster side pushed second-placed hosts Lytchett Minster all the way in their Dorset & Wilts One South clash on Saturday.

With a number of unavailabilities and injuries, Warminster were forced to field yet another unfamiliar back line.

Kieran Chester moved into the fly-half spot along with Reece Smith in the inside centre shirt, both having never played in the positions before.

In the second row there was also a first XV debut for 19 year old Dan Bowman, while drop-outs on the morning of the match meant they travelled with the bare XV.

The scrum was an even contest with Lytchett being one of the few sides this season that have been able to hold a solid amber and blues shove.

On 15 minutes it was Lytchett who took the lead. From a defending scrum on the five metre line, the ball spilled out from the back.

With emergency scrum-half Jimmy Rees looking to tidy up the ball and find his half-back partner Chester, he popped the ball straight up to a Lytchett player on the try line for a converted score.

The home side added a penalty, but the visitors fought back, flanker Ollie Pinnell making tackle after tackle and Bowman getting on the ball in attack.

Before half time, Warminster secured a lineout and a driving maul took them up to the line, allowing number eight Dean Priestman to touch down.

In the second half Lytchett spent lengthy spells in the Warminster half but the defence stayed strong, while their own attacks were also repelled.

With 10 minutes left Lytchett added their second try, as a dropped ball in the midfield by James Pinnell was pounced on by the home side.

 

With the final play of the game and Warminster dead on their feet, Lytchett took a quick tap penalty and went over in the corner for a third score.