NORTH DORSET 5

BRIDPORT 28

BRIDPORT survived a nervy final day of the season to seal their place in Dorset & Wilts One South.

The Blues arrived at North Dorset know that a win was essential to maintain their hopes of staying in the division.

They duly obliged with a bonus point win 28-5 and with New Milton losing they finished out of the relegation zone.

With captain Daragh Mcloughlin returning from a suspension inspiring the team they were quickly out of the blocks scoring two converted tries in the first 15 minutes.

From the kick-off, North Dorset conceded a scrum back on the halfway line and the Blues' scrum forced a penalty which was quickly taken by Mike Pibworth who fed ‘Oz’ Sullivan who was just held up short of the line.

The ball was quickly recycled out to Ellis Blackburn who weaved his way past three defenders to score in the corner.

From the kick-off, Griffin James made a clean break offloading to Mcloughlin who drove into the heart of the North Dorset defence and gained a scrum.

Scrum-half Rich Layzell eventually got the ball to Mcloughlin who went over close to the posts.

For the rest of the half, the hosts gained the ascendancy with plenty of possession but good Blues' defence and the occasional break into their half limited North Dorset to a solitary unconverted try just before half-time.

From the kick off, Bridport kicked too long and again gave North Dorset the opportunity to establish territory but with penalties conceded by both sides the game became very fragmented and North Dorset could not take advantage.

By now, the Blues' scrum was dominating and, from their own half, Mcloughlin picked up from a scrum made a clean break and a good offload to the supporting Rich Pearce put him clear under the posts.

The Blues then went down to 14 men with a yellow card and were probably lucky to keep 14 as they conceded a succession of penalties close to their own line but somehow kept North Dorset out.

Then with minutes to go, they forced their way into the Dorset 22 and Nathan Herbert drove through the defence to score under the posts and seal the bonus point.

In their 50th year the Blues now move on to mark the occasion with a formal ball to be held at Freshwater Beach Caravan Park on Saturday, May19.

There is a three-course meal and live music and there are still tickets at £40 each available from the Tourist Information Centre.

This Friday, the junior section will be holding their annual player awards presentation.