BRIDPORT 45 SALISBURY 24

BRIDPORT started their home Dorset & Wilts Two South campaign with a fine victory at the Brewery Ground

Salisbury had the kick off with the sun and the wind behind them, which should have given them some advantage, but very quickly the hosts pressured in their half and with the ball coming out to Ricky Stubbs.

He ran straight through the backs to find Al McNab who went over the whitewash in the first five minutes. Rory Greening added the extras.

Bridport extended their lead when Freddy Woolner made a very determined run through the opposition to cross the line.

Again, Greening scored the conversion.

With most of the first half played in the Salisbury end it was inevitable that this solid pressure would pay off and it wasn’t long before David Cutting was next to go over.

Woolner then notched his second try and the consistent Greening grabbed another two points with a conversion.

Eventually Salisbury managed to catch Bridport offguard with a hole in the defence for their winger to go over in the corner for their first five points, which was converted to see Bridport with a commanding 19-point lead at the interval.

The second half restarted and Salisbury were more fired up than in the first, despite Bridport nearly scoring again following a charge down on a kick on the Salisbury line.

Salisbury then reduced the deficit with a try despite some excellent defence from Bridport with 10 phases of play.

Four minutes later, Greening cross the line for the hosts and then added the conversion.

With Bridport now well in front and with some replacements due to injury, Salisbury managed to put on another 14 points.

Then in the dying minutes, Bridport made an excellent breakthrough with Greening moving the ball out to Woolner to Jason Blackmore who went over for his first try, and there was another successful conversion.