Murdoch stars as Bassett clinch Vase (From Swindon Advertiser)

Murdoch stars as Bassett clinch Vase

6:20am Wednesday 30th November 2011 in Rugby By Gary Rose

GRANT Murdoch kicked the winning points as Wootton Bassett won the Dorset & Wilts Vase for only the second time in their history by beating North Dorset 15-13 in a thrilling final on Saturday.

After 65 minutes of closely contested rugby, Bassett turned the screw in the final 15 minutes in a bid to snatch victory as they trailed their old rivals 13-8.

It had looked as though North Dorset had done enough until centre Nick Parker broke through the defence before sending Andy Phoenix over.

Murdoch converted to put Bassett ahead before referee Bill Gould's sounded the final whistle to confirm victory for the Wiltshire side and a place in the RFU Intermediate Cup Southern Counties final.

“It was a great win and silverware is always nice,” said Bassett skipper Gary Williamson.

“We had a fixture-free weekend before the game, so that gave us chance to get some of our first-team players rested and fit again.

“In the last 10 or 15 minutes we were knocking on the door as we put pressure on them and luckily we came through in the end.”

Victory had not looked likely for Bassett earlier in the contest, especially in the opening stages as they were shunted backwards by a forceful Dorset pack.

Dorset had taken the lead when scrum-half Robbie Sampson scored a penalty and climbed into an 8-0 lead when Simon Drake touched down, after Bassett flanker JP Travers had been sent to the sin-bin.

But when Travers returned suddenly Bassett started to find their form and staged an incredible comeback to ensure they were level at half time.

First, Dorset fly-half Ben Salisbury was sent to the bin, allowing Dave Hogg to get Bassett off the mark with a superb long-range penalty.

Then went straight back upfield from the kick-off and Murdoch ploughed through tackles out wide to touch down.

With the game finely poised, Dorset sneaked ahead when Sampson sent substitute wing Jon Hooper over in the right corner.

But it was Bassett who were firmly on the front foot and they battered their opponents' line throughout the closing stages.

And their pressure finally told when, from an unpromising position on halfway, Parker took on a tiring defence to set up Phoenix and Murdoch's boot did the rest.

“We are back in training this week and I am sure the lads will all be buzzing after that win,” added Williamson.

“That is two wins from two now and we are determined to keep our little winning run going when we return to league action this Saturday.”

Meanwhile, Supermarine are through to the final of the Dorset & Wilts Plate.

Their semi-final opponents, Bridport, were unable to raise a team for Saturday’s game, meaning they had to concede the match to send Supermarine through.

• DESPITE fine tackling from Sam Albinson, Swindon Under 12s lost 14-0 to their Wootton Bassett rivals.

  But they bounced back in their second game of the day to beat Corsham 14-5.

  Rory Horsington smashed through and fed Josh Bowden, who finished the job for Swindon's first try of the day. Corsham hit back right on half time with an unconverted try.

  Olly Prior made use of space out wide to run in Swindon’s match-clinching second with Bowden converting.

  Joey Toogood and Maciek Stepien scored tries for Swindon Under 13s with Oli Walsh converting, but it was not enough to prevent them losing 38-12 to Melksham.

  Swindon Under 14s beat their Wootton Bassett counterparts 52-5 in the Wiltshire Cup.

  Swindon Under 10s beat Corsham by four tries to three, but lost by five scores to two against Wootton Bassett.