WARMINSTER 29 BRIDPORT 10

BRIDPORT’S defensive frailties allowed Warminster to surge into a half-time lead from which the visitors never recovered.

Dave Cutting’s troops had been hoping to build on the win over Salisbury Seconds but with several players out of position, especially in the backs, they were made to pay for poor tackling and decision-making.

Despite coming up against a much larger pack, the Blues contested the set-piece and only conceded a few scrums towards the end of the Dorset & Wilts One South tussle.

However, the result was to be decided by the difference in the running games of the two sides with the Warminster fly-half causing mayhem in the Bridport defence.

He sliced through the visiting defence and, aided by weak tackling, scored under the posts for the first try of the match.

After this early setback, Brid-port made inroads into the War-minster half, and although they came close to responding they did not look like creating any openings.

Having held out until just before half-time, Bridport showed their inexperience and conceded a penalty, which was duly converted for a 10-0 lead.

Then from a deep kick into their 22, Bridport’s return clearance went straight to the Warminster prop and, with Bridport standing still, he was allowed to stroll through and score another converted try to make it 17-0.

The second half proved to be a different affair and Bridport got exactly what they needed with a try from the kick-off.

Taking the ball from the kick and moving it quickly, Ricky Stubbs took advantage of some below-par tackling to round the Warminster full-back for a try under the posts. Rory Greening converted.

Keeping up the pressure, and with forwards winning good ball, Bridport pressurised the home team and reduced the arrears further with a Greening penalty.

However, having got back into the game, Bridport shot themselves in the foot by conced- ing another try straight from the kick-off. Poor ball retention and aimless kicking again allowed Warminster’s backs to move the ball wide and score in the cor- ner.

The game entered a period of Bridport pressure and some good passing moves nearly saw Cutting score, but a last desperate tap tackle allowed Warminster to cover.

Not until the later stages of the game did Warminster make the scrums tell and with turnover ball they put the Blues under more pressure.

With five minutes to go, Bridport were awarded a penalty to clear their lines, however they missed touch and the Warminster full-back ran from his own 22 to waltz over thanks to the support of his backs.

Bridport camped on the War-minster line during the five minutes of injury time but were unable to add to their score.

* Due to insufficient player numbers, Bridport has had to fold its Colts team. However, Weymouth have agreed to take on any of the players on a loan basis.