BRIDPORT 38

OAKMEADIANS II 12

BRIDPORT eased to a 38-12 victory against Oakmeadians in an emphatic first-half performance.

Despite arriving late for the game, the visitors showed no signs of a hampered build-up as they started the stronger of the two teams, only being denied the lead by some determined Blues’ defending.

The hosts soon gained territory, and an overlap on the right saw Dave Cutting go in at the corner, with Richard Lazell adding the two points with an excellent conversion.

Bridport continued to put pressure on Oakmeadians’ line but their defence held and a series of penalties saw Oakmedians back in the Bridport 22, but they failed to turn this pressure into points.

The Blues then extended their lead as they cleared their lines and from a line-out on halfway Cutting made an excellent break feeding Freddie Woolner to score in the corner, which he could not convert.

The pressure began to build on the visitors as they brought down Charlie O’Donnell just short of the line. Oakmeadians conceded a penalty and Cutting took a quick tap and was through to score, with the conversion being missed.

Oakmeadians were soon back in the Blues’ half and won a penalty, but the goal attempt fell just short. From this, the Blues cleared well and won the line-out which saw Mitch Waters make a clean break to score under the posts, with Lazell converting.

The visitors once again pressed and a kick through saw Waters beating the chasing Oakmeadians’ winger to earn a 22 drop out.

A long touch kick from Woolner saw the Blues win the line out and Daragh McCoughlin turned quickly and was through the defence to score, with Lazell again converting.

From the kick-off, Woolner made a great break, only just putting a foot in touch on the Oakmeadians’ 10-metre line.

Bridport won a scrum after the line-out was not straight, and Woolner was put clean through. Lazell slotted his fourth conversion of the day.

Bridport started the second half determined to add to the score but while clean breaks were made, some handling errors were creeping in to their game and they were not able to capitalise on the territory.

As the game wore on they had more defending to do.

Eventually, good handling by the Oakmeadians’ backs gave them a try in the corner, which was not converted.

A series of penalties saw both sides exchanging territory in midfield and, after scrappy play in the Blues 22, Oakmeadians scored down the left which was converted.

But with the visitors now tiring, Bridport were not able to make any further headway and the game finished with them not adding to their first half score.