DORSET DOCKERS 120

BRIDPORT 28

DEPLETED Bridport suffered a crushing defeat to a rampant Dorset Dockers.

For the third week in a row the Blues were faced with a long journey to the east of the county and unlike last week they were at least able to raise a team to avoid a five-point deduction.

Starting with only 13 players, they were up against a Dockers side who had won seven of their nine games played so far and with key players missing and those present playing out of position were understandably swamped in the first half going in 66-0 down at half-time.

The second half was predictable especially as the Blues lost a player through injury after 10 minutes.

However, the Blues on the field, admirably led by captain Daragh Mcoughlin, showed tremendous fighting spirit to score four converted tries to gain a bonus point.

Mcoughlin scored a hat-trick with Will Hagerty adding the fourth.

All the tries were excellently converted by Rich Layzell.

Against this the Dockers ran up a further 54 points to finish convincing winners.

After the match, the Dockers' personnel were fulsome in their praise of the efforts and commitment of the Bridport squad in turning out in what was always going to be a very difficult match.

With a home game to come on Saturday against Salisbury Seconds, the Blues will hope to bounce back with a full squad available.