By Stuart Briggs

BRIDPORT 28

WEYMOUTH & PORTLAND 25

BRIDPORT overcame Weymouth & Portland side in an exciting match at the Brewery Ground.

The Blues started in storming fashion after Weymouth’s kick-off had gone out on the full.

Winning a penalty from the resulting scrum they gained a line-out on the five-metre line. An excellent catch and drive saw Mitch Waters break and offload to Ed Warner who went in under the posts, which was converted by Rich Layzell.

From the kick-off, Weymouth soon exerted pressure on the Blues but Waters made an excellent clearance kick which was well chased up gaining a scrum in the Weymouth 22. Excellent back play with Wes Lewis coming round on the loop saw him score in the corner, and after just 12 minutes the Blues were leading 12-0.

The visitors got back into the game with their scrum dominating and, after a clearance kick from the Blues which was deemed to have been taken back into their 22, Weymouth won a penalty from the subsequent line-out which was converted. Weymouth continued their good work and were soon back in the Blues' 22 and gained a penalty close to the posts for hands in the ruck which was surprisingly missed.

The away side continued their pressure at the scrum and with backs handling well a loose ball was kicked through and touched down for an unconverted try.

From the kick-off, Wes Lewis made good yards forcing a penalty. From the line-out gained, Weymouth were offside and with the wind behind him Layzell made certain of the three points.

On the stroke of half-time, the Blues gained another penalty on halfway which Layzell just pulled wide.

From the restart, the Blues' forwards and backs combined well but Weymouth kept the hosts out of their 22 until conceding a penalty after Mike Pibworth made a clean break, Layzell scoring the three points.

Having just extended their lead the Blues then allowed the Weymouth centre to gather a loose ball and outpace the defence to score in the corner, which was well converted to bring them within a point.

By now the Weymouth scrum was getting on top but Pibworth did an excellent job at the back of the scrum.

Despite a yellow card for Weymouth for a high tackle they forced a penalty in the Blues 22 converting to take the lead for the first time at 20-18.

An excellent take from the restart saw the Blues exerting strong pressure in the Weymouth 22 and a superb charge down from Pibworth saw him ground the ball first and restore his side's lead, Rich Layzell missing the conversion.

Weymouth’s kick-off was not 10 yards and from the scrum, Pibworth made a superb pick up and break into the Weymouth 22 , the ball went loose and Dave Cutting was on hand to scoop up the ball and score an unconverted try.

Weymouth responded immediately and despite excellent Blues' defence their forwards forced themselves over in the corner for an unconverted try.

With time running out for Weymouth, the Blues attacked strongly in the closing minutes with Cutting just held up short of the line. Weymouth could not clear their line and the Blues claimed an excellent victory.

Next up is another local derby against Dorchester on October 7.