BRIDPORT II 12 DORCHESTER III 7

WITH so many league games being plagued by cancellations, Bridport are attempting to organise several friendlies.

And for the first time in more than a season, the Blues were able to field a second team, on this occasion it was for a clash against Dorchester’s third XV.

Bridport have had an upsurge in numbers at training with many new and returning players.

Craig Lynham, Sam Tunks and James Wallbridge had their first run outs for the seniors and Ben Roberts-Wray, Lloyd Vercoe, Rob Davies and Steve Lithgow returned to play after long absences.

Both clubs turned up with 23 players and the contest was used as a development game.

It was a fine day for rugby and Bridport started strongly with good attacking play by the forwards – Oz Sullivan led the charge with some fine bulldozing runs.

Jamie Livingstone captained the hosts and his side dominated for 20 minutes.

The first try was scored by Bridport wing Adam Vickery after some fine interplay with Mike Walton and James Tuck, who were both playing in unfamiliar positions at full-back and outside-centre respectively.

Dorchester were stung by the score and, led by ex-Bridport player Rob Parker, began to threaten.

They exerted wave after wave of attack which the Blues resisted for a while, but eventually good interplay by the visitors and some missed tackles allowed the county town team to go in under the posts.

The try was converted and Dorchester led 7-5 at half-time.

Both side made changes and, in the second half, Dorchester’s scrum became dominant, while in the loose they were quicker over the ball in the tackle zone.

Bridport reorganised and Phil Wright, Liam Poole and youngsters George Pearce and Seb Phillips launched themselves at Dorchester and they began to make headway.

The final 20 minutes belonged to Bridport. Vercoe received the ball 40 metres out and showed some of his old magic to slice Dorchester apart and score a fine try which was converted by Walton.

Ed Williams proved himself in the front row and older players like fly-half Jason Kidd and winger Vercoe proved they still had the skills to compete.

There is still work to do to develop the side and Bridport now look forward to their first XV hosting Fordingbridge Seconds this Saturday with the seconds travelling to Ellingham & Ringwood Thirds.