NEW MILTON SECONDS 5 BRIDPORT 6

RORY Greening won a low-scoring Dorset & Wilts Two South encounter for Bridport with the last kick of the match at New Milton.

It was a dramatic ending to a hard-fought opening day clash that looked like going the way of the home side.

After a pointless first half, New Milton took the lead 10 minutes into the second period with a try from a lineout catch and drive.

The relatively straightforward conversion was missed and that was to prove crucial at the end of the 80 minutes.

Greening then had a long-range penalty attempt that fell just short before the Bridport man got it right soon after.

The Blues piled on the pressure in the closing stages and their efforts were rewarded when Greening slotted over his second penalty right at the death.

A draw may have been a fair result but given that Bridport went to New Milton with a bare XV and had players playing out of position it was a result team manager Grant Connelly was happy to take with both hands.

“We were delighted, especially because we had two late withdrawals from the squad and had to make our longest away trip of the season with 15 players,” he said.

“We were playing people out of position and trying players in new positions, so to come away with a win was great.

“Our three-quarters were starved of possession and when they did get some they just couldn’t get over the line.

“Our defence was outstanding and New Milton didn’t really look like scoring a try other than from a set-piece.

“A draw probably would have been a fair result, but if they had a kicker they would have won.”

Looking ahead to the rest of the Blues’ season, manager Connelly added: “We could be in the running for promotion or we could be also-rans.

“You don’t know until about halfway through the season where you are going to be.”

Captain Dave Cutting and his men host North Dorset Thirds at the Brewery Ground on Saturday, while Bridport Sec-onds begin their Dorset & Wilts Four campaign at Dorchester Thirds (both 3pm).