DORCHESTER II 14

BRIDPORT 26

FOLLOWING the forfeiture of their home game last week due to Dinton withdrawing from the league the Blues travelled to leaders Dorchester high in confidence but lacking match practice.

This was not misplaced as an excellent team performance saw them to a bonus point 26-14 win in Wadworth 6X Dorset & Wilts Two South.

From the kick off, the Blues pressured Dorchester with both forwards and backs putting in ferocious tackles, and, with steady scrummaging and tight line-out play, the game was played within the Dorchester’s 22-metre line.

The pressure told with a breakaway run by Harry Richardson resulting in him crossing the line for the first points of the match with Waters converting.

The Blues playing with confidence kept up the pressure and following a penalty decision in Bridport’s favour took a quick tap moving the ball along the line and Andrei Carlin touched down in the corner for his first senior try, Waters narrowly missing the conversion.

Following more pressure, Bridport were camped on the Dorchester line and a quick rucked ball allowed Nathan Herbert to cross for a converted try with the Blues going in 19-0 ahead at half-time.

Dorchester must have received a stern team talk during the break as they came out of the blocks flying at the beginning of the second half.

They pressured the Blues and play swung equally in both halves of the field before some poor tackling by Bridport resulted in a splendid running line by one of the Dorchester’s centres with a kick and chase which was won by the hosts giving them their first converted try.

A fairly evenly matched second half then ensued and a penalty was awarded to Bridport for a Dorchester hand in the ruck with Water’s attempt narrowly wide.

From the restart, strong running by Rob Sullivan gained 40 yards and before being tackled he slipped an excellent pass to Nathan Herbert who off-loaded to Tom Gamwell who went over for the converted bonus point try.

With very little time on the clock, the Blues took their eye off the ball allowing Dorchester field position on their five-metre line and the hosts drove over for a well converted try.

Despite the local rivalry the game was played in an excellent spirit and the Blues will take a lot of positivity into their next home match against East Dorset on Saturday with one of their up-and-coming new players Alex Perkin taking the Bridport man of the match award.