BRIDPORT 38

OAKMEADIANS II 19

BRIDPORT opened up a four-point gap at the top of Wadworth 6X Dorset & Wilts Two South with a five-try bonus point win over second-placed Oakmeadians at the Brewery Ground.

This was an emphatic team display with both forwards and backs showing 100 per cent commitment.

Bridport opened in superb style, running the ball from their own 22 into the Oaks’ half.

Jack Streeter took it on and Nathan Herbert was just held up but quick ball saw Mitch Waters through for a converted try.

Against the run of play, Oaks got a converted try back after a fortuitous hack through from a loose ball led to a converted try.

Bridport then lost their way conceding a second converted try to go 14-7 down.

However, a superb passage of play with great ball handling from backs and forwards yielded two tries in 10 minutes.

The first followed a period of intense pressure in the visitors’ 22 with good ball retention from the forwards forcing a penalty which was taken quickly and set up Waters for his second converted try.

Oakmeadians kicked the ball straight out at the restart and from the resulting scrum on halfway Herbert fed Dave Cutting who beat the cover defence with a strong run, Waters converting.

Superb defence kept the Bears out after several penalties on Bridport’s lines, including bizarrely, an attempted drop goal which hit the post and allowed the Blues to clear their lines going in at half time 21-14.

The second half showed Bridport’s gains this season with the forwards dominating the loose balls and forcing a penalty which Waters converted.

The Blues sadly, were not able to capitalise on a surging Harry Richardson break from deep in his own half into the Bears’ 22.

The game then went a bit flat but the Blues showed a composure in defence keeping Oakmeadians out.

Then with some wonderfully crafted ball retention, as the Blues’ forwards kept the ball moving, they drove into the Oaks’ 22 and James Tuck freed Oscar Tompkins to run in under the posts for their converted bonus-point try.

At this stage, uncontested scrums were enforced, a disadvantage to the Blues as they were dominant in the scrums.

An unforced error gave the Oaks a five-metre scrum which the Blues turned over and from the scrum the best move of the match saw them sweep down the field as Waters, Cutting and debutant Ollie Blackburn combined beautifully to give Cutting his second try converted by Waters.

Oaks kept pushing and scored a consolation try at the death following a quickly-taken penalty.

The Blues visit Salisbury Thirds on Saturday.