DORCHESTER II 3 BRIDPORT 15

BRIDPORT captain Dave Cutting returned to action in style at Coburg Road with one of his side’s two tries in their defeat of Dorchester Seconds.

The visitors started this Dorset & Wilts Two South encounter with serious intent, as forwards and backs combined well to put Dorchester on the back foot from the outset.

Early pressure told and Cutt-ing, back from nose surgery, crossed for a try which Rory Greening converted comfortably.

Cutting, playing at scrum-half, continued to be a pivotal figure throughout the game, his speed and intensity an inspiration to the forwards who turned in a committed and coherent performance.

But they did fall foul of the referee numerous times and, on one of these occasions, Dorchester slotted an easy three points to get back in the game.

The hosts then crossed the Blues’ try line but were held up by a scrambling defence.

Bridport’s self-belief was growing all the time and this was perfectly demonstrated by a terrific try from fly-half Ricky Stubbs.

Spotting a small gap in the home defence, he burst through and backed himself to score with some panache in the corner. Greening missed a tricky conversion.

The half ended with the visitors, who remained on the front foot and continually looked to attack, 12-3 to the good.

The second period, like the first, started with all the pressure coming from the visitors – man of the match Ayorinde Fraser stood out for Bridport.

Dorchester’s scrum-half was caught offside and paid for his misdemeanour as Greening slotted a straight-forward penalty to make it 15-3.

Dorchester did enjoy some possession and promising attacks of their own, but there were no further scores as both defences held firm.

This was an encouraging victory for Bridport who seem to be responding well to the input of stand-in coach Wayne Munro and assistant Guy Ewart.

East Dorset, 15-12 victors over Munro’s men in the cup, are up next for Bridport, while Dorchester visit Salisbury Seconds.