BRIDPORT 12

HUISH TIGERS 19

BRIDPORT were edged out by a single score as Huish Tigers claimed a 19-12 victory in their pre-season match at the Brewery Ground.

Before the match, both captains and the referee, Matt Oliver, agreed to play three 20-minute periods giving the players plenty of time to rehydrate on a hot afternoon.

Under the captaincy of George Hussey, the Blues elected to take the kick-off supported by a large crowd anticipating a festive Barbarian style of rugby and they were not to be disappointed.

During the first period, both sides tested each other with long in-field kicks but too many unforced errors resulted in scrums and penalties to no avail.

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The one magical moment was when Charlie Samways received a quick ball from a line-out enabling him to kick for touch near the Taunton-based Tigers line.

Several drives by the Blues' forwards were halted by excellent defence by the visitors and after the first period of play there was no score by either side.

The second period woke up the crowd with positive running breaks from both teams and a line-out won by the Tigers allowed them to set a driving maul crossing the Blues' line for the first try which was converted.

This spurred on the hosts who soon got into their stride and confidence was high but again the opposition's defence was excellent and against the run of play the Tigers were awarded a penalty for not releasing in the ruck.

A quick kick for touch, and success at the line-out allowed their backs into the Blues' 22 and a missed tackle resulted in a second try in the corner, giving them a 12-0 lead.

From the kick-off, the ball was cleanly taken by Hussey who slipped it out to Samways who with side-steps and his dancing feet, baffled the opposition and made 50 meters only to be stopped by a try-saving tackle.

The Bridport crowd were on their feet and looking for the Blues' first try. They did not have to wait long as another penetrating run by Samways enabled him to offload to Andy Easton to score in the corner for an unconverted try, leaving the Blues 12-5 down after 40 minutes.

A huddle and team talk goaded the Blues into more action and the next ten minutes were all Bridport.

Pressure was now on the Tigers as tight scrums and clean ball from line-outs gave the Blues the confidence they needed and a powerful drive from veteran Oz Sullivan saw him score a well deserved try under the posts, converted by Samways to level the scores at 12-12.

The final ten minutes were nip and tuck, with neither side taking any chances.

However, the try of the afternoon was decisively in favour of the Tigers.

Their outside centre gathered a loose ball on his 22 line, side-stepped the first tackle and Bridport allowed him to run the length of the pitch without a single tackle.

With no time left on the clock Bridport had to accept defeat .

The Blues have their opening league match in the rebranded Counties 2 Tribute Dorset & Wilts South at Wimborne Seconds on Saturday, September 10.