BRIDPORT 30 WESTBURY 17

BRIDPORT won a game of rugby for the first time since early December with youngster Jasper Mowatt scoring one of four tries in a man of the match performance.

The hosts, who had a walkover against Salisbury Seconds last month without playing, bagged a bonus point with Donald Farmer, Bob Lester-Card and Liam Poole also touching down.

Lester-Card opened the scoring with a penalty on six minutes before fullback Farmer came into the line to touch down and make it 8-0.

Bridport’s excellent start continued on the half hour when Lester-Card crossed, giving his side a 13-0 half-time lead.

A Westbury try soon after the restart reduced the deficit to eight points only for Lester-Card to extend Bridport’s advantage to 16-5 with a second penalty.

More daylight was put between the sides on 52 minutes when scrum-half Wes Lewis put up a high box kick to within five yards of the Westbury try line, the bounce went the home team’s way and prop Liam Poole gathered to score. Lester-Card converted for a 23-5 lead.

However, Westbury hit back with two tries in as many minutes and at 23-17 the comeback was very much on.

But Bridport defended well and the result was put beyond doubt with 12 minutes left when a loose ball on halfway was hacked on by Mowatt and the flanker kicked ahead again before gathering to score. Lester-Card converted.

“We were pleased with the performance and improved again from last week,” said team manager Arthur Barclay. “Hopefully we are going the right way now.

“We hadn’t won since December 8 but have started to look better and throw the ball around which is when we are at our best.

“It was a tremendous performance from Jasper Mowatt, who threw himself into everything.”

After being stretchered off in the defeat to Blandford the previous Saturday, Barclay added that Will Everitt broke his leg and ankle and is waiting to undergo an operation.