BRIDPORT 22 BLANDFORD 25

BRIDPORT’S see-saw season in Dorset & Wilts One South continued on a blustery afternoon against Blandford at the Brewery Ground.

Having been soundly beaten at Wimborne, the Blues faced a side that had not lost any of their six fixtures going into the game.

Short, crisp passes and low kicks were required to master the swirling wind and neither side got this right all the time.

The visitors were rarely out of the home 22 in the first quarter and their pressure finally paid off when their right wing scored in the corner.

Bridport eventually forced their way up the field and, from a scrum in Blandford territory, the backs fed the ball to winger Tom Wilkins and he touched down in the corner.

Rory Greening made the conversion in the unpredictable wind to put the Blues 7-5 up.

Greening again added to his side’s tally with a penalty in the 32nd minute, 10-5, as Bridport managed to stay in the visitors’ 22 for the final minutes of the first half.

John Butler took the ball from a quick line-out, exchanged passes with hooker Tony Herbert, and then strolled over for Bridport’s second try.

Back Blandford came and they managed to close the gap to 15-10 at the break with a pushover try which went unconverted.

The second half started at a frenetic pace.

Veteran Herbert got close to the visitors’ line with a strong run, the Blues were able to pluck the ball out of the ensuing melee and captain Dave Cutting finished the passage of play off with a spark-ling try, converted by Greening.

Despite leading 22-10, the Blues knew Blandford were not a side to pack up their tent and go home.

They swept back up the field and the big Blandford centre gave his team heart by crashing through to touch down. The conversion brought them back to 22-17 behind.

The game went a little flat in the latter part of the second half and neither team could seem to get the upper hand.

But with just five minutes to go the visitors protected their unbeaten run thanks to a bustling unconverted try.

It looked like it was going to be an honourable draw but an act of petulance by a Blues back gave Blandford the chance to snatch victory from the kicking tee and they duly took it.

Bridport head coach Krissie Washington and team manager Grant Connelly were both disappointed at the final result but took heart in the turnaround from last week’s efforts.

Good numbers at training in the week and the improvements shown auger well for the away game at Oakmeadians on Satur-day.

Elsewhere, Bridport Seconds had yet another blank week as Crewkerne could not raise a team for their friendly match. The rusty seconds will host Ellingham & Ringwood Thirds at the Brewery Ground this weekend.

Palmers Wine Store Man of the Match: Rory Greening