EAST DORSET DOCKERS 29

BRIDPORT 15

BRIDPORT suffered a 29-15 defeat at East Dorset Dockers on their return to Counties Two Tribute Dorset & Wilts South action.

Late withdrawals from the matchday squad, including captain Jed Gravelle, meant the Blues travelled with only two reserves which would prove costly in the second half with injuries to key players.

With a strong wind blowing straight down the pitch the match was a game of two halves.

There was a positivity about the Blues’ performance from the kick-off with good handling, quick ball from the rucks and a good defence but despite the best effort of the forwards particularly Jude Appleton-Scott they were unable to make any headway.

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In the first quarter, both sides tested each other’s defences with the Blues dominating their line-outs, despite the strong wind Will Murley was finding George Hussey with every throw setting a platform for the Blues to attack.

It was from such a line-out inside Dockers’ 22 following a Blues penalty that the forwards set up a catch and drive and with the backs joining in drove over the line, Hugh Vivian scoring and Charlie Samways converting.

Dockers’ response was instant when the Blues found it difficult to clear their lines from the kick-off. They conceded a penalty inside their 22, which was taken quickly for an unconverted try.

From the kick-off, Dockers used the wind to kick deep into the Blues’ half and forced a drop out from under the posts.

The Blues could not get any length on the kick and Dockers came again but after an excellent turnover on their own line an attempted clearance kick by Hussey was charged down with the bounce beating the defence to the touchdown, for a converted try for Dockers.

Bridport quickly advanced into the Dockers’ half with good ball retention from all the forwards forcing a line-out penalty on the 22 which for the first time was called not straight.

Dockers cleared long and after gathering a loose ball were penalised for crossing. Samways took a quick penalty and outpaced the defence for an individual try in the corner but Sam Petchey’s conversion just drifted wide.

From the kick-off, the Blues gathered the ball and it was fed out to colt Jack Pellow making his debut.

There followed what was deemed an accidental clash of heads in the tackle and he left the field. The Blues then forced their way over the 22 with Corbyn Newman making an excellent break forcing a penalty taken by Petchey for a 15-12 lead.

During that passage of play, Hussey had to be substituted due to a serious-looking shoulder injury and with the last play of the game after good work by forwards and backs Petchey narrowly missed his second penalty.

Unfortunately for the Blues they were not able to make any impression on the Dockers’ defence in the second half with the side seemingly disrupted by the injuries and compounded when Guy Wyndham had to leave the field to be substituted by forwards coach Ross Duncan.

Dockers duly scored two tries in quick succession, the second after the Blues had a series of scrums on the Dockers’ line, were turned over and the Dockers’ winger went the length of the field to score giving them a 24-15 lead.

The same winger almost repeated the feat only to be stopped by a superb last-ditch tackle by colt Kian Bentley. Not to be outdone, Dockers added a final try to win 29-15.

Bridport now have a run of six games in seven weeks, starting with Lytchett Minster at home on Saturday.