PUDDLETOWN 22

BRIDPORT 17

DEPLETED Bridport lost a second consecutive Counties Two Tribute Dorset & Wilts game as Puddletown shaded a 22-17 victory at Greenfields.

With two key players unavailable and a squad full of injuries, the Daggers had only two substitutes against a full strength Puddletown side but did gain a losing bonus point with the last kick of the match.

Prior to the match, preparations were affected by the absence of a match referee and the game started with an official who had sat out past seasons with injury.

Bridport controversially conceded the first try when the Daggers felt that the ball was dropped in the act of scoring.

READ MORE: Lytchett Minster 24-12 Bridport - report

This said, Daggers were not at their cohesive best in the first half and were not able to sustain pressure on the Puddletown defence when they broke into the 22.

Both set-pieces were functioning well but the issue was getting across the gain line and, despite some promising breaks, Puddletown scored their second try when the impressive James Elwood broke the defence and scored for a 14-0 lead.

The half ended prematurely when the referee pulled up injured and could not continue, Puddletown fortunately finding a substitute referee to ensure a structured game.

Bridport lifted their level in the second half and started to put their opponents’ defence under pressure with good breaks by Andy Easton and Jack Pellow.

With the scrum still dominant they were looking the more likely to score.

However, they were penalised for holding on in their half and Puddletown slotted the penalty for 17-0.

From the kick-off, Daggers continued to press and with Charlie Samways moving the ball well the backs came close when Pellow was held up short.

A penalty turnover taken quickly, allowing Easton to give an excellent pass to Pellow to score in the corner, superbly converted by Sam Petchey for 17-7.

Daggers now enjoyed their best phase of the match with forwards and backs linking well to keep the game in their opponents’ half.

James Bickley made a clean break over halfway, offloaded to Pellow who found Daragh Mcloughlin who was just held up short of the line.

Puddletown cleared but Daggers kept up the pressure and after a series of drives were held up by good defence before a quickly-taken penalty enabled Guy Wyndham to drive over by the posts to bring the Daggers within three points.

Sadly, their momentum was stopped when the kick-off was knocked on and from the resulting scrum Puddletown scored an unconverted try.

Daggers kicked off, Puddletown knocked on and were penalised in the scrum allowing Petchey to obtain a losing bonus point with a successful conversion.

Daggers, who slip a place to fifth, now face their fourth successive match away to Swanage and Wareham Seconds on Saturday.

With injuries continuing, it remains to be seen what squad they will have available.