OAKMEADIANS SECONDS 5

BRIDPORT 24

BRIDPORT picked up their fourth straight victory at Oakmeadians, writes Andrew Livingston.

A late try in the first half from Gareth Thomson, with the addition of tries from Harry Richardson, Mitch Waters and Nathan Herbert secured another bonus point victory for the Blues in Dorset & Wilts One South.

Travelling with only 15 players, captain Tom Gamwell was ecstatic to get five points from a game he was just hoping not to concede.

He said: “This game showed a turning point for the team, it was brilliant to go away with only 15 players and dominate most areas of the game. Particularly in the set piece.”

In the fast half, Bournemouth’s overhanging mist stagnated the performance from both teams, causing an opening 30 minutes of deadlock before Thomson went over for his first try in the blue colours of Bridport.

The prop easily capitalised from the rolling maul which succeeded from a line-out just off the Oakmeadians' try line.

Thankfully, the game opened up in the second half, producing a more fruitful encounter, with four following tries for the few on looking spectators.

Man of the match, Bridport’s Harry Richardson, also scored his first ever club try early in the second half after he capitalised on a poor kick chase from Oaks.

The flanker ran in unopposed from the halfway line under the posts for Waters to kick the following two points.

Sitting 12 points in front, once again Bridport failed to control and close out the game as they let the home side in to score their only try and only points.

However, the Blues quickly replied with Waters ninth try of the season as he broke the opposing line 30 metres out, one on one with the Oaks fullback he eased past to score.

Herbert quickly followed up with another try in similar fashion to leave Bridport with a bonus point win at full time.

With the brief Christmas break approaching, Bridport will play their final game of 2016 at home to the seconds of the Dorset Dockers.

Despite the team from Ringwood currently struggling for numbers, the Dockers can beat any team on its day.

The captain now has his sights set for the next encounter.

He said: “I think the key for this week's game will be to maintain that strong platform to allow quality ball.

“There is still work to be done at the breakdown and reorganising our defence, but the work rate on display has been excellent and the results are just reward.”