BRIDPORT 28

LYTCHETT MINSTER 26

BRIDPORT earned their first win of the season in the most dramatic style as Mitch Waters landed a conversion to seal a 28-26 victory over Lytchett Minster.

Stewart Burton’s try set up the winning moment to pull the scores level and there was a huge amount of pressure on Waters, who seemed oblivious to the burden by nervelessly bisecting the posts to win the game.

It was well deserved victory for Bridport in an entertaining match in front of a large crowd at the Brewery Fields ground.

It all started badly for the Blues when from the kick-off Lytchett almost scored in the corner with the Blues escaping with a drop-out from their own line.

READ MORE: East Dorset Dockers 29-15 Bridport - match report

However, the escape was short-lived as Lytchett gathered the ball and spun it down the line for a score on the corner, well converted.

The Blues mounted a solid reply when a quickly-taken penalty got them into the opponents’ 22. Some good forward drives were held by a good defence forcing the Blues to knock on and allowing Lytchett to clear their lines.

Lytchett got into the Blues’ 22 but were reduced to 14 men after a high tackle. Charlie Samways cleared long, but the line-out was not straight.

Bridport turned the scrum over and with a magnificent driving maul towards the Lytchett 22 forced a penalty, taken quickly by Corbin Newman for a converted try.

The game was being played at a cracking pace with both teams showing excellent skills in attack and defence.

Bridport got a break when Lytchett conceded a penalty after excellent work by Nathan Herbert with Jed Gravelle making sure of the three points with a confident kick.

Lytchett now applied the pressure and the Blues escaped when Lytchett made a clean break after running an excellent line in the backs only for the pass to be forward. Their forwards however kept the pressure on and drove over for a converted try.

From the restart the Blues again showed their excellent mauling skills driving hard from a scrum conceded by Lytchett towards the 22 setting up Samways for a lightning run from the back of the maul to the corner for an unconverted try and a well deserved half-time lead of 15-14.

The second half started with the Blues continuing to apply the pressure forcing Lytchett back into their 22 after an excellent kick to the corner. From the line-out Lytchett were offside and Waters made sure of the three points.

From the restart Lytchett drove into the Blues’ 22 but the ball was cleared and from the line-out Lytchett were penalised and Waters opted to go for the posts from just inside the Blues’ half and with a superb kick extended Bridport’s lead to 21-14.

The game now lost some of its momentum with the Blues’ dominant scrum unable to make any real impression on the opponents’ defence who, following a series of line-outs, were gradually getting back into the game.

After a prolonged period of pressure in the Blues’ 22 with several penalties conceded their defence was finally broken with a try in the corner which with an excellent kick tied the scores with 10 minutes to go.

Lifted by the score, Lytchett turned the screw and with the forwards setting up a good position excellent handling in the backs gave them an unconverted try in the corner for 26-21.

The Blues showed tremendous spirit when, after a Lytchett penalty pushed them back to their own half, they forced Lytchett to concede a penalty.

Waters found touch on their 22 and a superb catch and drive with backs joining in gave Burton the score and Waters kept his cool for a thoroughly deserved victory.

Bridport’s next match is away to second-placed Oakmeadians on Saturday.

*Bridport RFC will be hosting a fireworks night on Saturday, November 5 from 6pm for an 8pm start.

Entry costs £6 for adults and £2.50 for under-16s with a donation made to charity after the event.