BRIDPORT 7

WIMBORNE II 10

BRIDPORT lost out to a late penalty in a narrow 10-7 defeat by Wimborne Seconds in their first game of the new season.

The Blues were hoping to get their Counties Two Tribute Dorset & Wilts South campaign off to a winning start but looked to be heading for a draw until Wimborne's penalty.

Immediately prior to the game, both teams stood in line and Peter Brook, Bridport club president, said a few words before the teams and supporters observed a minute's silence in respect of the passing of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.

When play began, the Blues won the toss and elected to kick off. Soon into the game Bridport were awarded a penalty as Wimborne were deemed to have crossed and therefore causing an obstruction.

READ MORE: Rugby given go-ahead despite Queen's death

A penalty kick by Charlie Samways secured touch well into the Wimborne 22. From the line-out the Blues' forwards drove as a well-drilled pack and the ball spun along the line to Sam Petchey who pinned back his ears and touched down near the corner for the first score of the game, Petchey also converting for 7-0.

From the kick-off the visitors pinned the hosts in their 22 and a knock-on gave Wimborne a scrum which they won, releasing the ball to their backs but again they were penalised for crossing.

This gave Samways the chance to get out of their 22 with a long spiralling kick covering half the length of the field.

From then the game became dour comprising a series of knock-ons by both sides resulting in too many scrums, line-outs and a distinct lack of decisive runs by either team.

Unfortunately, a strong tackle injured Petchey forcing him to be helped off the field but he returned later in the second half.

The style of stop-start non-flowing rugby continued until a penalty against Bridport, also for crossing, gave the visitors a decision to make.

They elected for a scrum as their forwards were consistent in this part of the game. Scrum won and ball passed along their backs due to very slick hands resulted in a try in the corner awarded to Jim Turnbull, converted with an excellent kick before half-time.

From the kick-off the ball was knocked on and Wimborne won a scrum before conceding yet another penalty to the hosts for crossing.

A long kick sent Bridport well into the Wimborne half and into touch. Line-out won and in a ruck an offside decision gave Bridport a chance for goal and three points.

Samways had two attempts due to a Wimborne player charging too early but hooked both as the scores remained locked at 7-7.

The rest of the game can be remembered for the wrong reasons, two yellow cards one to each team and another double yellow resulting in a red against Wimborne.

Bridport's Josh Alner had to be helped from the field as the result of an illegal shoulder tackle and there were a number of minor injuries to both teams resulting in stoppage time of over 30 minutes.

The second half remained rather uninspiring and a penalty against Bridport ten minutes from full-time allowed the visitors to land a successful kick for 10-7.

Some of the most inspiring running rugby came in the final five minutes from Bridport as the backs and forwards linked well and Daragh McLoughlin made some excellent breaks only be halted by a strong Wimborne defence, but the hosts had to settle for a losing bonus point.

Bridport host Bournemouth Thirds on Saturday, September 24.