Pump Technology sponsored Tadley 1st XV made the now familiar trip down the A303 to take on 2nd placed North Dorset. Tadley made a few changes from last weeks convincing win at home to Ivel. Rob Lowe and Swadders from the front row unavailable through stag weekends and RSI respectively giving Murph his second run out for the 1st team this season. Ducan Harris complaining of food poisoning meant that Rob Murray had to step up into the second row.

The back line was virtually unchanged other than to see Alex Pike's safe return from the wedding fair last weekend and Chris Dennison return to the 1st team squad following a lengthy ankle injury. Tadley were under no illusions that this would be one of the toughest fixtures of their season however now putting together a string of good performances the away side were determined to compete in this encounter. North Dorset started as they meant to go on with a powerful display in the scrum following an error from the kick off and showed that strong running from their centres and quick recycling meant they could stretch the Tadley defence very quickly. Tadley demonstrated that they had improved defensively as North Dorset had the lions share of possession and territory in the first half but the score line at half time was 10-18 in favour of the home side. A good try from Alex Pike and conversion and penalty from Charlie Cox making up the Tadley points.

Following the break things began to slide for Tadley conceding two trys soon after the break it as clear that North Dorset were a well drilled disciplined side who would take their chances when they were offered. Tadley had absorbed so much pressure up until this point that the defence became more and more rough around the edges and the Home side really began to click, Tadley received a lesson in basic well executed rugby.