BRIDPORT RFC team manager Guy Livingston lauded his players for their fight as they fought off a threat of relegation on the last day of the season.

The Blues’ 28-5 Dorset & Wilts One South win at North Dorset Seconds ensured, along with results elsewhere, they survived and finished 10th in the table.

Livingston said: “Daragh McLoughlin and Tom Gamwell both put pressure on the players to ensure we had a full turnout to training and a full turnout for the last game.

“Spirits were high, they all knew what they had to do and they all went into the game fighting and they carried on fighting and won. Knowing that they are going to be staying up next season has been incredibly good for the morale of the club.”

The Blues went into the final game of the season at Slaughtergate in a determined mood, as a win was essential and if other results went their way then a bonus point win would almost certainly guarantee safety in the division.

New Milton had a very difficult fixture at Wimborne and the odds were that a bonus point win would put the Blues above them. Weymouth’s recent resurgence meant they were odds on to finish above the Blues.

The resulting win was testament to their determination against a resilient North Dorset side who despite the majority of possession could not break the Blues’ defence.

The club provided a coach for the players and supporters, who outnumbered the locals, to travel to the game which created a great team atmosphere.