WEYMOUTH & PORTLAND 26

BRIDPORT 5

WEYMOUTH & Portland overcame Dorset neighbours Bridport 26-5 in an attritional Counties Two Tribute Dorset & Wilts One South clash at Monmouth Avenue.

League champions Weymouth & Portland were without several players, as were Bridport despite the return of Jude Appleton and Jed Gravelle.

The match, which was very disjointed and never really flowed, saw Weymouth kick for touch after a penalty and from the line-out their backs ran a good line to score through Matt Savage, who converted his own try for 7-0.

From the kick-off Weymouth knocked on and Daggers gained a scrum penalty with Sam Petchey’s attempt drifting wide.

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From the drop-out Weymouth were soon back in the Daggers’ 22 gaining a penalty which was converted by Savage for 10-0.

Daggers, whilst holding their own in the scrums, were not able to make any real progress over the gain line.

The Seahorses then won a line-out after Petchey’s clever grubber snuck out, and even though the Daggers initially repelled the first driving maul, Weymouth’s forwards got the upper hand and Tim Comben drove over for a 15-0 lead.

Daggers enjoyed good possession after the restart and Pete Philips drove hard for the line but was just held up.

Weymouth conceded a penalty from a scrum, which was quickly taken but they won a turnover and cleared.

Charlie Samways returned a clever kick which was a fraction too long and Weymouth had a goalline drop-out.

Petchey ran the ball back and with Jordan Neil in support Daggers went through the phases allowing Samways to break through for an unconverted try before half-time.

What happened next sealed the match as James Newsam took the kick-off on the charge and raced into the Bridport 22.

Despite eventually being tackled, Lewis Allan was there in support to score in the corner.

Alex Toms kicked two further penalties for Weymouth & Portland but Bridport dominated the territorial battle in the final 15 minutes after a red card for Joe Gibson when the officials spotted an indiscretion.

Daggers continued their spirited defence and kept Weymouth from adding further scores, their forwards setting up a series of driving mauls themselves only for the Weymouth defence to hold firm.

Speaking post-match, Weymouth head coach Rich Bament said: “They were very robust and confrontational which is what you’d expect from a local derby like that.

“We got two early scores which settled us. We were wary that they did beat us down there and they posed a danger.

“It was certainly attritional and they never gave up but we were always in the ascendancy and I don’t think we looked like losing that one. I’m quite chuffed.”

Bridport beat Weymouth & Portland 10-6 earlier in the season but Bament did not have revenge at the forefront of his mind.

He said: “It’s a bit of revenge but I don’t look at it as revenge, we just look at it as another game.

“They won up there and deserved to win. We were focusing on another win and making sure our home record stays intact.”

Weymouth & Portland now host East Dorset Dockers on Saturday before a promotion play-off pencilled in for Saturday, March 25.

The Seahorses are hopeful James Baker, Chris Norton and Dan Hayne could return, but Savage (broken foot) is out. Adam Makepeace serves the final game of his three-match ban.