BLANDFORD 16

WEYMOUTH & PORTLAND 37

WEYMOUTH & Portland rose to third in the Wadworth 6X Dorset & Wilts One South standings with a stunning 37-16 victory at Blandford.

With Blandford a notoriously difficult team to play away from home, the Seahorses initially looked to be struggling in the first half until a scorching comeback in the second secured a bonus-point victory.

Blandford secured the lead with a penalty after three minutes and dominated possession for the next 15 as the Seahorses battled to keep their hosts at bay.

Ill discipline cost Weymouth on the rare chances they did have but, on their first fully-fledged attack, a fumble from the Blandford full-back landed perfectly for winger James Cooper to score the opening try, converted by full-back Alex Toms.

Having taken the lead at 7-3, a Weymouth and Portland error at the restart immediately let the hosts in for their first try, before a penalty extended Blandford’s lead to 11-7 at half-time.

That scoreline was arguably a success for Rich Bament’s men given Blandford’s strong start, and the visitors suddenly kicked into gear during the second period.

Billy Hayne capitalised on a powerful rolling maul to score the Seahorses’ second try, Toms converting and then adding a penalty for 17-11.

Prop Tim Comben then bulldozed his way past five tackles to score from a 20-yard run, Toms converting again and striking his second penalty for 27-11.

Weymouth and Portland sealed their bonus point with a fourth try as Andy Bowditch finished off good work from Comben and fellow prop Ben Davies to score from five metres out, Toms adding the extras.

The Seahorses’ already handsome lead was boosted to 37-11 when Toms landed his third penalty, before a battling Blandford launched a kick downfield, forcing a handling error and crossing for their second try late on.

Speaking to Echosport, Bament, whose side now have a two-week gap between games, said: “To go to Blandford, who beat Bournemouth Thirds which is always a tricky game, with a few injuries and changes, we did very well indeed.

“It’s good to get the guys a rest because there’s a few aching bodies out there. Dorchester took a lot out of them.

“I was a bit dubious about (Blandford) but after the first 20 minutes we got into our stride and played all the rugby in the right areas of the pitch – didn’t give them a chance. They came up trumps in the end.”

Bament’s troops next visit Wimborne Seconds on Saturday, December 7 (2.15pm).