PUDDLETOWN 0

WEYMOUTH & PORTLAND 29

WEYMOUTH & Portland raised the pressure on leaders Dorchester with a 29-0 victory over Puddletown in their Wadworth Dorset & Wilts One South derby at Greenfields.

Played in atrocious conditions courtesy of Storm Dennis, match officials halted proceedings at 60 minutes – meaning the result stood.

That ruling will have pleased the Seahorses, who ran in five tries for a bonus-point win as the Monmouth Avenue outfit cut the gap to unbeaten Dorchester to seven points.

Amid worsening rain and wind, expansive play was at a premium. However, the Seahorses displayed their gritty side in mud-soaked game.

Billy Hayne crashed over in the corner to begin Weymouth’s try-scoring and claimed his second score when breaking off the back of a ruck to charge over for 10-0.

Brother Dan Hayne then barged through three tackles to score the Seahorses’ third try of the first period, fly-half Alex Toms missing all three conversions as the billowing wind played havoc with both teams’ kicking.

Weymouth continued to push Puddletown back in the second half and got the bonus-point try when Jake Guildford, who made his first start since returning from a season-long injury, went over beside the posts.

Luke Benyon added gloss to the scoreline, running in underneath the posts following a good move by the Seahorses’ backs – Toms this time converting both scores before play was halted.

Speaking to Echosport, Weymouth & Portland coach Rich Bament was highly satisfied by his team’s display in appalling weather.

He said: “The referee called it off on 60 minutes because it just deteriorated too much. He spoke to both captains and they both agreed.

“The pitch started taking a complete hammering, the wind and rain had picked up, and you couldn’t really recognise some of the players.

“But 29-0 away to Puddletown, I’m very happy. Five tries, nil conceded – a perfect day at the office.”

Commenting on the pursuit of Dorchester, Bament said: “It should keep them on their toes – it’s keeping us on our toes.

“It’s something to aim for and the guys are enjoying it. They’re loving their rugby at the minute, which is always a good thing.

“They’re doing really well, taking on board the new ideas we add. It was also good to have Dave (Oaksford, captain) back. He’s a big presence on the pitch.

“He started his first game back since his knee op and it’s another senior head out there. Having the club captain back is a big bonus.”

Bament’s men are next in action at home to Bournemouth Thirds on Saturday, February 29.

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