Sport

54 The West Dorset Magazine, April 8, 2022 Motoring Parking charges up across county

Parking charges have increased in Dorset Council car parks. Drivers wanting to park at Lyme Regis, West Bay and Weymouth between April and October will now be charged £1 for 30 minutes, £2 for an hour, £3 for two hours, £4 for three hours, £5 for four hours and £10 for 10 hours. The same charges apply to motorists parking in Charmouth and West Bexington. For motorists wanting to park in Bridport, Sherborne, Weymouth and Dorchester, the charges are £1 for an hour, £1.50 for two, £2.20 for three and £6 for 10 hours. And two permits now will replace the 76 former district permits. A Short Stay Car Park Permit and a Flexi Stay Car Park Permit will replace the 76 former district or borough permits. Cllr Ray Bryan, Portfolio Holder for Highways, Travel and Environment, said: “It became apparent at an early stage of our car parks review that charges had not been reviewed for several years and changes needed to be made for a more consistent approach. “As a council in a challenging financial position, we are trying to achieve a delicate balance of maximising income from our car parks while ensuring residents and visitors will still choose to support our high streets, beaches and attractions.”

Petition opposes A30 closure

More than 700 West Dorset residents have petitioned their MP to intervene over the continued closure of part of the A30. The A30 running through Sherborne between Kitt Hill and Cornhill was closed in March by statuory notice. It is not due to reopen until September 2023. A petition to reopen Cornhill, launched by West Dorset MP Chris Loder, has already received 700 signatures from local people. Mr Loder said: “Within hours of launching my online petition, hundreds of people have joined me in calling for Sherborne’s Dorset councillor Matt Hall to reopen Cornhill.” In a letter to Cllr Hall, Mr Loder said: “I am writing today to ask you to support the reopening of Cornhill and to make sure you know the extent of public opinion. “More than 700 people want me to petition you to write to the Head of Highways to request that the reopening of Cornhill is re-evaluated urgently for local traffic, whilst the main A30 diversions remain in place. This is not acceptable to the thousands of people I represent, in and around Sherborne. It is causing untold distress to the businesses throughout the town and this situation now requires urgent action. “According to the BBC, Sherborne’s Sunday Market has been told that it cannot go ahead whilst these roads are shut. “The difficulties being experienced by residents on Horsecastles, Trendle Street, Long Street, St Swithun’s Road and North Road are also considerable. “This has been going on for over six weeks now and when local residents and businesses are suffering because of it, we cannot let this continue any longer than is absolutely necessary.” Mr Loder’s letter to Cllr Hall also said: “It was clear that Cornhill was closed at the beginning to mitigate immediate risk of an unknown situation and I think many people appreciated that. But almost six weeks afterwards, Dorset Council will not re-evaluate the opening of Cornhill because you do not support its re-opening.” Mr Loder’s letter also states: “You (Cllr Hall) have asked how to complain to the Parliamentary Commissioner for Standards because I have challenged how unsupportive you are of Cornhill being opened. ”

Roundabout flood work

Improvements have been completed at the notoriously flood-prone Monkey’s Jump roundabout, with work to landscape it and safety measures also installed. MP Chris Loder led an A35 taskforce calling for improvements after noting a high number of accidents along that route. The taskforce, launched a year ago, has urged National Highways to deal with the flooding and safety issues along the A35, including potholes, white lines, reflective studs and signage. Mr Loder said: “We have seen so many accidents along this road in recent years, and previously the A35 has been left behind in terms of strategic ambition. “I am very pleased to see the A35 is now getting the strategic investment and safety improvement it needs.” The Phase 2 works at Monkey’s Jump will future-proof earlier drainage works and improve the look of the county town’s gateway roundabout. Additional works to stop the flooding at Max Gate are also being carried out and enhanced maintenance is promised from Bridport to Axminster to optimise visibility of signage and markings. The Duchy of Cornwall is also expected to also complete road improvements soon afterwards.

Sherborne 1st XV 41 Beaconsfield 0

By MIKE TREW

Sherborne bagged another five league points as they ran out comfortable winners against mid-table Beaconsfield, although they were given plenty to think about by the visitors who played an expansive, high tempo style. A highlight for the hosts was the performance of debutant Lewi O’Grady, the teenager coming on as a replacement, and impressing immediately with his sharp passing, accurate kicking, and some excellent tackling. The away side started strongly with their outside half’s superb kicking dictating play, and their front row impressing from the outset. But Sherborne demonstrated the strong defence that has given them one of the best home defensive records in the division, with decisive tackling from the outstanding Ben Austin frequently breaking down Beaconsfield’s attacking plays. Scrum half Rhydian McGuire also starred, scoring two superb tries in an excellent all-round performance, and front row Jack Ridout left it late to notch arguably the try of the afternoon, with a cracker in the closing minutes. Tom Hopkins, from the Sherborne coaching team said: “The game went much as we expected it to. Beaconsfield played at a very high tempo with every effort being made to keep the ball in hand and play expansive rugby. “We defended very well and scored some excellent tries. We were very pleased with the penalty count which is an area of focus for us. We were delighted with Ridout and O’Grady, who played his first game for us this season, and shows that he is an exceptional prospect for the future and showed signs of his ability to play at this level.” Following a trip to Bracknell, Sherborne return to the Terraces for their final home match against Buckingham, on Saturday, April 23.

ON THE ATTACK: Sherborne surge forward against Beaconsfield Picture: GILL CLARK O’Grady shines on debut

Blues take a second-half battering at seaside

Weymouth & Portland RFC 33 Bridport 18 The visiting Blues showed the greater appetite from the kick off, opening up an early 15 point lead, before Weymouth & Portland staged a stirring fightback. Bridport opened the scoring when Mitch Waters forced his way over the try line following a quick tap penalty. Waters was unable to add the conversion, but Bridport doubled their lead almost immediately. From the kick off the ball was slipped it out to Jed Gravelle to score in the corner, with Waters again failing to add the two points. Gravelle then added his second to make it 15-0. Weymouth edged back into the game and two crucial scores before halftime seemed to turn the tide. Five minutes before the break, a quick ball from a Weymouth line-out resulted in an easy run-in for Ben Davies. Bridport notched a penalty, before another well-worked Weymouth lineout enabled Facundo Patsouris-Belcuore to cross in front of the posts, giving the Blues an 1812 lead at half time. Within minutes of the restart, the home side took a clean catch from a line out to drive over for another converted try. Weymouth pinned the visitors back before another driving maul sent their prop forward Yogi over for another converted score, extending the home side’s lead to 26-18. It was the home side who had the last word, a scrappy ruck setting them up for another converted try to make the final score 33-18. The Blues’ final match of the campaign is on Saturday, April 9, as they visit high-flying Blandford.

Sport New boss Marcu tasked with revitalising Bees

Bridport FC have unveiled Edgar Marcu as their new manager for 2022/23. The 35-year-old will take over the reins from caretaker manager Shaun Annetts at the end of the season, with the two working in tandem for the remainder of the Bees’ current campaign. Marcu is an ambitious young manager who has good non-league coaching experience following stints with Paulton Rovers, Radstock Town and Yeovil. He has already been instrumental in helping to attract new talent to the side, with Joe Batten-Coe, Michael Calverley, Josh Grace, Hanad Habiil, Raul Vasile and Ollie Buchanan swelling the Bees’ ranks for the remainder of the current season. Although already consigned to relegation, the introduction of new blood should enable Marcu to start laying some solid foundations as he aims to help the club bounce back after a disastrous season. Bees’ chairman Adrian Scadding says “We are delighted to have Edgar on board. He brings a lot of experience and enthusiasm and has some strong ideas on how he wants to set up the team. “Edgar is very focused, ambitious and professional, and we are confident that he can be instrumental in bringing good times back to St Mary’s Field.”

IN THE HOT SEAT: Edgar

Marcu PIC: STEPHEN BARRETT

Loan star Olaf nets points for Magpies

Wimborne Town 0 Dorchester Town 1

By Stuart Wickham

Loan striker Olaf Koszela scored the only goal of the game to earn a precious three points in the Magpies’ battle to beat the drop, as they overcame Dorset rivals, Wimborne Town. The victory saw the Magpies open up a threepoint cushion ahead of relegation rivals Kings Langley, and followed two one-nil defeats – against Farnborough and Met Police – where they were unlucky to emerge pointless after two improved performances. The key moment at Wimborne’s New Cuthbury ground came in the 37th minute, Koszela picking up a loose ball after Harry McGrath mis-controlled, before stepping inside and finishing with a composed curling strike beyond home goalkeeper Gerard Benfied. The home side had the better of the early exchanges with Jack Bycroft in the Magpies’ goal tipping over from Louis Kellaway’s dipping volley on five minutes, and headers from Lewis Beale and Harry Morgan narrowly off target. Dorchester had their best opening on the half hour mark, and should have opened the scoring, Alfie Stanley spooning over from six yards with Benfield stranded in nomansland. The Magpies enjoyed better chances in the second half and should have added to their tally, with Stanley failing to beat Benfield when one-on-one, and Koszela hitting the outside of the post with a deflected effort. With the game still on a knife-edge, and the travelling support bracing themselves for a nervy six minutes of stoppage time, Wimborne should have bagged an equaliser, with home midfielder, Curtis Young, spurning a golden chance, skewing his effort out for a throw-in with the goal at his mercy. The football cliché that luck evens itself out over the course of a season strongly in evidence, and it was the kind of good fortune that the Magpies’ recent gritty performances have certainly earned. With four games left to try and stay ahead of Kings Langley, Dorchester return to The Avenue on Saturday, April 9, against Hendon.

WHAT A GAME FOR OLAF: Magpies on-loan ace Olaf Koszela scored the only goal of the game at relegation rivals Wimborne Town

SOUTHERN LEAGUE PREMIER SOUTH BOTTOM FIVE

P W D L F A GD Pts Hartley Wintney 38 12 4 22 50 69 -19 40 Dorchester Town 38 10 4 24 36 56 -20 34 Kings Langley 38 7 10 21 41 61 -20 31 Merthyr Town 38 5 8 25 42 79 -37 23 Wimborne Town 37 3 7 27 30 90 -60 16

The West Dorset Magazine, April 8, 2022 57 Sport Zebras clinch 17th win on the trot

By Stuart Wickham

sport@westdorsetmag.co.uk

Odd Down 0 Sherborne Town 1

Prolific striker Alex Murphy’s 48th-minute goal was enough to give the Zebras their 17th consecutive win at Odd Down, as they kept up their relentless pursuit of the Division One title. However their victory came at a cost, with midfielder Sam Farthing suffering a serious ankle injury in the first half, and facing an extended period on the sidelines. Overall it was another accomplished performance from Wayne Jerome’s team, which ensures that they now need just two more victories to guarantee the championship. With confidence sky-high, and with three out of four of their remaining games at home, the Zebras will be confident of finishing the job, however have still to face title-rivals Welton Rovers, who continue to keep up the pressure in second place. The Zebras also face a trip to local rivals Gillingham Town in the run-in, and The Gills will certainly be relishing the chance to cause an upset. The Zebras next game sees them welcome Oldland Abbotonians to Raleigh Grove on Saturday, April 9.

ON TARGET: Alex Murphy

Longwell Green Sports 0 Sherborne Town 3

The Zebras earned another three points on safari, with a comfortable win against a young Longwell Green Sports team, extending their winning run to 16, and edging ever closer to the league title. Cheered on by a substantial away contingent at a drizzly Shellards Road, goals from Dec Cornish, Ollie Hebbard and a late Ant Herrin penalty, were enough to secure Town their 11th away win of a brilliant campaign. Both teams had early sights of goal, with Alex Murphy going closest for the visitors, his rasping drive from 20 yards forcing an acrobatic save from Sports’ goalkeeper Dominic Law. Shortly afterwards, the busy Law turned over an Aaron White pile-driver, only for the ensuing corner to lead to Zebras’ first goal of the afternoon, Cornish heading home from Herrin’s floated cross, after his corner was only halfcleared by the home defence. Josh Attwood had to be alert at the start of the second half to turn a Sports’ effort around the upright, although any away nerves were settled shortly afterwards, as Ollie Hebbard bagged the second for the Zebras’, just moments after coming off the bench for his first appearance in a month. There seemed little danger as a ball was crossed from the right, but Hebbard outmuscled a defender, took the ball away from the onrushing keeper, and fired home from an angle despite the efforts of two Longwell defenders on the line. The Zebras wrapped up the points in the 81st minute, Herrin slotting home a penalty, after Sam Farthing had been fouled as he was about to pull the trigger, following good work by man of the match Hayden Hodges and Hebbard.

TOOLSTATION LEAGUE DIVISION ONE - TOP FOUR

P W D L GD Pts Sherborne Town 36 27 6 3 78 87 Welton Rovers 35 24 6 5 42 78 Wincanton Town 34 23 5 6 62 74 Warminster Town 35 23 5 7 40 74

Remaining fixtures: Saturday April 9: Oldland Abbotonians (H) Friday April 15: Gillingham Town (A) Monday April 18: Welton Rovers (H) SaturdayApril 23: Bishop Sutton (H)

Team: Attwood, White, Budden, Lawrence-Napier, Williams, Brown (Hebbard 51), Farthing, Hodges, Murphy (Cotterill 72), Herrin, Cornish (Cutmore 66). Goals: Cornish (19), Hebbard (53), Herrin (81, pen). Attendance: 251.

Ex-players welcome at end of season celebration

Sherborne Town are inviting all former players to join them for the team’s final home match of the season against Bishops Sutton on Saturday, April 23. If the team’s title ambitions have gone to plan, there is bound to be a celebratory mood at Raleigh Grove, and the club is extending a warm welcome to former Zebras from any era to join them as their special guests. Commercial manager Sam Bowers explains the reasons behind the idea. “We thought this would be a great opportunity to recognise players who have helped to make our club so special. Whatever happens between now and then, it has been a brilliant season and we want to celebrate with as many former Zebras as possible. I really hope we can get a good number of players to come and join us, and it will be an extra special day if we’ve been able to secure the league title by then.” If you’re a former Sherborne player and would like to join them on April 23, please get in touch with Sam at sam.bowers@mjbowers.co.uk