Sport

The West Dorset Magazine, November 18, 2022 63 Sport All-rounder lensman calling the shots

Dorchester Town’s official photographer Phil Standfield has been talking to STUART WICKHAM of the West Dorset Magazine about his lifelong affection for his hometown club, and the enjoyment of taking pictures for the Magpies, and at a host of other local sport events.

Phil Standfield, who celebrated his 61st birthday last week, has been the Magpies’ lensman for the past eight years, and is looking forward to capturing the action for many more. Phil talks firstly of his love for his club, a relationship which began when he was a child in the 1960s. “I started watching the Magpies when I was about six or seven and I’ve followed them ever since. “There have been some interruptions as you always get through life. I took a break from football in the eighties, and I started going to watch Bournemouth for a bit too, to go and see some league football, but I returned to supporting the Magpies when there was some crowd trouble at a match there. There is a lot to be said for non-league football away from all that nonsense. “I’ve always loved taking photographs, and I started getting into sports photography when my son was a teenager and playing for Zeals, up near Mere. I had separated from his mum, and went to watch him play football as we didn’t get the chance to spend much time together. I’d always loved taking photographs, and, after a while of watching the matches at Zeals, I asked the manager if I could bring my camera along and snap the action. I did that for a few years as my son progressed through into the men’s team and it sort of evolved from there.” The photography has always been a passion, although not a profession, and Phil volunteers his time to taking pictures of sporting events without financial reward. He has worked for Lings Printers in Dorchester for 19 years. Before that, he spent over 25 years at Eldridge Pope before the closure of the brewery led to redundancy. Phil was asked if he would become the Magpies’ official photographer around eight years ago. He said: “One of the directors asked if I would take some pictures now and again, but, of course, it quickly became much more than that and I was photographing most games, home and away. I travel quite a lot to the away games, many of which are a fair distance. “As a fan, it doesn’t really take away the enjoyment of the games, I’m just viewing it in a different way really, through a small viewfinder. I’m following the ball, but the crowd usually let me know if I’m missing something off the ball, and I can refocus my attention. “It’s always hit and miss whether I can get the perfect shot, and I often miss the goals, or a player might get in the way at just the wrong time. People love seeing the celebration pictures because it shows the emotion, and they’re a little easier to capture sometimes.” Phil uses a Canon 1DX Mark 2 with 300 and 500 lenses. He prefers not to tweak his work using Photoshop, apart from straightening, clipping and adjusting the brightness. He explains: “I’m actually colourblind so won’t ever get involved with changing the colours, that could be a nightmare. I am careful to make sure the photographs are properly straightened and will tweak the brightness, but that’s about it. Midweek games under floodlights can be difficult as the tungsten lights mess with the colours somewhat, but I’m a bit of a purist who likes the picture to represent that moment in

HOWZAT? Perfect timing... Phil regularly photographs Dorchester and Puddletown cricket matches

My sporting life: Photographer Phil

n CONT FROM PAGE 63

time as much as possible.” Phil does not limit his talent to football and is enthusiastic about other sports. He regularly snaps Dorchester Cricket Club in action at weekends and Puddletown Cricket in midweek when there isn’t a clash with football. Phil has worked with Weymouth, Portland and Dorchester rugby, and also spent time snapping the Raptors American Football Team. Amongst other sports, he has also photographed the cycling action at Moreton village and was disappointed not to have the chance to photograph the world’s elite cyclists following the cancellation of the Dorset leg of the Tour of Britain. Phil talks of the challenges that each sport brings. “With the cycling, it happens so fast, so you have to get yourself in a prime position and be ready. For the Tour, I was going to take up a position at the top of the golf course, away from the

SURF’S UP: Capturing kitesurfing in Portland Harbour

PLASTERING SERVICE

...including: • Skimming • Plastering • Rendering • Plaster Boarding

We now offer a full PLASTERING SERVICEin addition to our roofing, buildingandscaffolding teams.

With over 20 years’ experience, you can be assured of a clean and professional job at all times.

Contact us at Poundbury Build & Maintenance for a personal quotation...

keen to carry on catching the action

crowds, but of course, we didn’t get the chance anyway. With cricket, you know roughly where the bowler is going to be in his delivery stride, so I tend to focus on the umpire and wait for the bowler. Capturing the batters isn’t always easy, they can charge down the track or back away to the leg side and catch you out. Each sport brings its own challenges and tests your skills in different ways.” With no plans to hang up his camera bag, Phil is looking forward to the remainder of the Southern Premier League season, as the Magpies look to build on their positive start. He said: “It is as good as it has been for a while, and is great for fans to be start looking up the table. I get to see a lot of what Glenn (Howes) and his management team do, and they are certainly very professional and carry the same, consistent message in how they want the team to play. It’s been a good start and it’s nice to see some positivity at The Avenue. “We’ve had so many seasons of under-performance, and the suspension of the league programme during covid really got us off the hook when we were 12 points adrift. This season, it would be great to finish in 10th or above.” Regardless of what’s in store for the rest of the campaign, Phil will be on hand to document the Magpies’ progress.

n Check out Phil’s portfolio of work on Flickr.

TOUCHDOWN: Action from the Raptors and, right, Moreton Race Series Round 4

Jed at the double as Blues cruise to win

Bridport Puddletown 19 0

By STUART BRIGGS

The Blues got back to winning ways with a comfortable victory against a determined Puddletown XV. Jed Gravelle scored two well-crafted first half tries, which ultimately proved decisive in a hard-fought game at the Brewery Ground. In wet and windy conditions, the Blues made a positive start and, despite playing into a stiff breeze in the first half, they took the lead courtesy of Gravelle’s first try, following a well-worked move. Wes Lewis placed an excellent grubber kick into touch on the 22 metre line, Bridport gained lineout turnover and the forwards drove the ball on. A quick release by Charlie Samways allowed Nathan Herbert to give an excellent pass to Gravelle, who scored in the corner, but was unable to convert from a testing angle. The Blues now had their tails up and were forcing errors from their opponents, culminating in a penalty in midfield. Opting for the scrum, the good ball was taken on by Daragh Mcoughlin, who released Gravelle for a run down the wing and followed up for the offload, for an excellent score, Gravelle this time converting to establish a 12-0 lead. Bridport continued to play fluently, enjoying good spells of possession and passages of play, however could not break down a determined Puddletown defence. This theme continued in the second period as the Blues enjoyed near total territorial advantage with the wind now at their backs, but they frequently found themselves up against some dogged Puddletown tackling as they tried to make the game secure and search for bonus points. They finally broke through following a series of driving mauls by the Blues’ forwards, culminating in Samways diving through a gap to score, with Gravelle again on target with the conversion. The Blues searched desperately for a fourth try to secure the bonus point try but the Puddletown defence held firm.

IN CHARGE: The Blues were dominant in the scrum against their West Dorset rivals Pictures: STUART BRIGGS

Keeper Thomas on the spot to earn

HENDON 0 DORCHESTER TOWN 0

By STUART WICKHAM

Magpies’ debutant goalkeeper Lloyd Thomas saved a second-half penalty to help his new teammates earn their third consecutive clean sheet and stretch their unbeaten run to six matches, as they continued their recent good form on the road. Thomas has moved to the Avenue on a short-term contract, to replace departing loanee Ryan Hall who was recalled by his host club Aldershot, and the new stopper produced a diving save to his right to deny Joe White from 12 yards just short of the hour mark. Both teams had other opportunities to win the match, and such is their ambition these days, that Magpies’ fans may be disappointed not to register a win given their opponents lowly standing in the league. Town weathered an early spell of Hendon pressure, with Thomas producing a couple of good early saves, before Callum Douglas and Olaf Koszela were off target with opportunities at the other end, and Charlie Gunson’s dipping long-range shot a little too high. The Magpies continued to look the team more likely to break the deadlock in the second half and carved out the better openings, although had Thomas to thank when Jordan Ngalo was adjudged to have fouled in the box. The point sees Dorchester fall to sixth place, but remain in close contention with the teams directly above. The Magpies’ next face two more away trips, as they visit Plymouth Parkway on Tuesday, November 22, and Winchester on Saturday, November 26.

WHAT A SAVE: Lloyd Thomas keeps Joe White’s spot kick out and, right, Callum Gregory competes for the ball against Met Police

Pictures: PHIL STANDFIELD

DORCHESTER TOWN 1 MET POLICE 0

Striker Olaf Koszela produced a moment of magic as the Magpies’ continued their march up the Southern Premier League table at the expense of high-flying Met Police. The on-loan frontman’s sweet effort from the corner of the box on 36 minutes was enough for Dorchester to secure the three points in horrible conditions, and leap-frog their opponents into fifth place. The win was the Magpies’ third in a row, and has left fans feeling increasingly positive about their prospects for the season, with the Met Police consistently among the League’s top teams and one who have been triumphant in the last five head-to-heads against Glenn Howes’ team. The match was a competitive end-to-end affair, played in wet and windy conditions at the Avenue, and both teams had chances during a lively opening period. Koszela had a couple of early sights of goal for the hosts, only to be snuffed out by the visitors’

point for Magpies

ON TARGET: Match-winner Olaf Kosvela lets fly against Met Police in his side's 1-0 win

defence, before forcing Met Police’s goalkeeper, Liam Beach, into a smart save. Bradbury sent a header wide from a good position, while the away side had a couple of decent openings but were unable to find a decisive finish. Koszela struck a fierce drive from the angle which narrowly missed Beach’s far post, however the ‘keeper could do nothing to prevent the Magpies taking the lead shortly afterwards. Drifting in from the left flank, Koszela checked onto his favoured right foot, and curled a delightful finish into the far top corner, to send the majority of the bumper 604 crowd into delirium. The Magpies continued to press after the break, with the visitors carrying a consistent threat on the break, with Ryan Hall produced a couple of excellent saves to retain the home side’s advantage.

HERE TO SERVE: Men’s Doubles Champions Ethan Robinson and Ed Keegan Picture: ROS CLARK Club tournament serves up thriller for end of season

Dorchester Tennis and Squash Club enjoyed a bumper entry to its end-of-season annual tennis championships, with a total of 63 entrants taking part. A total of 25 ladies and 38 men competed across ten events, with local solicitors Pengillys once again lending their support by sponsoring the championships. Ellery Ford scooped the Men’s Singles title, beating fellow firsttime finalist Ethan Robinson in straight sets. Ford’s tactics, to mix up the pace and not allow Robinson to play his normal game, worked to frustrate his opponent, as he won 6-1 6-1. In the Women’s Singles, firsttime finalist Milly Sidaway overcame 21-time champion Sarah Skidmore 6-3 6-4. The pair traded big forehands, each trying to expose their opponent’s weaker backhand side, and Sidaway won the first set quite convincingly, and although the experienced Skidmore took an early lead in the second, Sidaway clawed back an early deficit to claim her first singles title in straight sets. In the Men’s Doubles, defending champions, Robinson and Ed Keegan, were up against last year’s finalist Hal Cazalet, playing with a new partner Connor Townsend. The first set was close, with some exciting rallies from the baseline, but once again Keegan and Robinson proved too strong and retained their trophy with a 6-4 6-1 win. The Women’s Doubles final was the last match on court and played out in heavy rain as the weather turned. Defending champion, Sally Dinham-Scott, teamed up with Skidmore to take on Rebecca Hambleton and Jess Kennedy. Dinham-Scott and Skidmore showed their doubles experience and raced away with the first set, and despite an improved showing from Hambleton and Kennedy in the second set, Dinham-Scott and Skidmore took the title with a convincing 6-0 6-2 victory. The Mixed Doubles final, a repeat of last year’s final, was one of the best matches of the day, with defending champions Skidmore and Robinson winning a close encounter against Sidaway and Ford. Sidaway and Ford raced into a lead, winning the first set 6-0, CONTINUED NEXT PAGE

CONTINUED FROM P67 but the title holders managed to turn things around in the second, winning it 6-3 to take the match into a tie-break to decide the winners. Skidmore and Robinson never looked like losing the tie break and won it 10-6, to land the title for the third consecutive year, with Skidmore, now having won the event 26 times with 10 different partners. With two titles apiece, Skidmore and Robinson were jointly awarded the coveted Rod Skidmore Cup, named in memory of Sarah’s husband, former chairman of the club and a Royal Navy pilot, who tragically died in a helicopter crash in 2002. Al Clark, chair of the DTSC General Management Committee, said: ”We’ve had a wonderful tournament and it’s great to see the courts full of our best players and the club full of spectators enjoying our renowned hospitality. “It’s also very encouraging to see so many juniors who’ve come through the DTSC Tennis Coaching programme competing for Senior trophies. DTSC are very grateful for Pengillys very generous support. It’s great to have a local firm sponsoring us and promoting local sport in our community. Competitors and spectators were treated to a delicious lunch organised by Ros Clark and ably assisted on the day by Jill Maple and Helen Austin, with cakes and scones baked by Sarah Skidmore and Jill Maple. The club is always keen to hear from potential new members, please see the club website for details: dtsc.org.uk or contact them on 01305 268103.

CHAMPS: From left, Mixed Doubles Champions Ethan Robinson and Sarah Skidmore, Women’s Doubles Champions Sally Dinham-Scott and Sarah Skidmore, Men’s Singles Champion Ellery Ford and Women’s Singles Champion, Milly Sidaway Pictures: ROS CLARK

Full Results: Men's Singles - Ellery Ford beat Ethan Robinson 6-1 6-1 Women's Singles - Milly Sidaway beat Sarah Skidmore 6-3 6-4 Men's Doubles - Ethan Robinson & Ed Keegan beat Connor Townsend & Hal Cazalet 6-4 6-1 Women's Doubles - Sally DinhamScott & Sarah Skidmore beat Rebecca Hambleton & Jess Kennedy 6-0 6-2 Mixed Doubles - Sarah Skidmore & Ethan Robinson beat Millie Sidaway & Ellery Ford 0-6 6-3 10-6 Plate Competitions: Men's Singles Plate - Joe Slowther beat Dugald Lockhart 6-3 6-2 Women's Singles Plate - Jess Kennedy beat Sophie Perry 6-1 6-0 Men's Doubles Plate - Pete Notley & Tim Toogood beat Daniel Smith & Henry Theobald 6-1 0-6 10-8 Women's Doubles Plate - Julie Nash & Lorraine Slowther w/o Trisha Holden & Jane Jones Mixed Doubles Plate - Lorraine & Joe Slowther beat Lynn Ramsell & Alister Millar 6-2 6-2

Providing expert legal services throughout Dorset for 130 years

with local offi ces in Poundbury and Weymouth

POUNDBURY

Challacombe House, Beechwood Square, Poundbury, Dorchester DT1 3SS 67 St Thomas Street, Weymouth DT4 8HB Property

pengillys.co.uk Family & relationships

Private clients Business matters

Legal disputes Quality Advice

wherever you are in life call us on 01305 768888