BRIDPORT 17

BLANDFORD 16

BRIDPORT overcame both a strong Blandford side and the elements to record a tight 17-16 victory in their Wadworth 6X Dorset & Wilts One South match against a Blandford team one place above them.

There was a very strong wind blowing however, and both teams had their better performances playing against the wind.

With the wind advantage in the first half, Bridport spent the first 20 minutes on the defence and conceded a try after 10 minutes and a further two penalties to go 11-0 down after 20 minutes.

However, they put Blandford under pressure and from the kick-off got a penalty under the posts, kicked by Rich Laycel.

Further possession and territorial advantage again resulted in Blandford conceding penalties and Laycel kicked a further two penalties to leave themselves only 11-9 down at half-time.

At the start of second half, Bridport had most of the play with captain Daragh McLoughlin making big breaks through the Blandford defence which resulted in another penalty from Laycel to give Bridport a 12-11 lead.

From the kick-off, no one took control of the kick and Blandford took play to the Bridport line and drove over for a try in the corner to retake the lead.

For the the last 20 minutes, Bridport then took control of the game.

The forwards controlled possession and the three quarters moved the ball wide creating openings.

One such break from Guy Brazier nearly created a score and another from man of the match MacLoughlin took Bridport up to the Blandford line and from the ruck Dave Cutting was able to dive over in the corner for a 17-16 winning margin with just five minutes to go.

The final minutes were tense and instead of keeping play tight Bridport lost possession in their threes that put play back into their own 22.

Fortunately Blandford conceded a penalty that resulted in a yellow card and Bridport held on for a hard-worked and deserved victory that keeps them clear of the bottom three in the league.