BLANDFORD 47

BRIDPORT 10

BRIDPORT were well-beaten by Blandford, with just two tries in reply to the visitors’ dominant score of 47 in the Wadworth 6X Dorset & Wilts One South.

Bridport faced a Blandford team that has also struggled with numbers, having just had to fold their second team due to a lack of players, which left their first team now with a good-sized squad, to the Blues’ disadvantage.

The first quarter of the game was very evenly matched with neither team shining above the other, with only a penalty to Blandford for a high tackle, to hand them three points.

In the second quarter Bridport took their eye off the game, especially being slow on the breakdown to support their ball carrier.

Blandford were very quick to realise the weakness and put on four tries, of which they converted three, giving them a healthy lead of 29-0 at the half-time whistle.

Bridport were putting more into their defence in the second half.

Blandford started making a few mistakes under pressure, and Nathan Herbert was quick to collect five points when he pounced on a loose ball in the opposition’s half to slightly narrow the scores.

This was later followed by more Blandford penalties with the Blues keeping the pressure up on their line and with numerous phases they were rewarded with another five points when Ayorinde Fraser went over the line backed up by Herbert.

Bridport had two players making their debut with the first team, with William Joynes adding his weight and size to the scrum. Oscar Tomkins, coming up from the Colts, played a solid game on the wing.

Bridport will now contest their twice-postponed game with Salisbury Seconds on Saturday at the Brewery Ground (2.15).