BRIDPORT 0

NORTH DORSET 33

BRIDPORT gave a good account of themselves in their first Tribute Dorset & Wilts One South game for four weeks but ultimately came up short 33-0 at the Brewery Ground.

Bridport held their opponents, who are now one point behind leaders Blandford, in the first half before succumbing to their superior set-piece play and all-round defence, conceding four second-half tries.

Unlike previous games, the Blues defended well from the kick-off and repelled a series of forward drives forcing a turnover and clearing their lines with a long kick from Charlie Samways.

Penalties were then exchanged with North Dorset getting the ball into touch on the Blues’ 22.

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From the resulting line-out an excellent catch and drive showing the power of their forwards, Charlie Jobling drove the ball over for a well converted score.

From the kick-off the Blues gained a penalty and a superb long kick from Mitch Waters took the Blues well into their opponents’ half.

Sadly, with the Blues’ line-out under extreme pressure North Dorset turned the ball over and cleared their lines. Some excellent defending by the Blues kept the North Dorset forwards out and a resulting penalty enabled them to clear the danger.

With a good line-out take the Blues now started for the first time to put some real pressure on the opponents’ defence and a good passage of play with all the backs handling and passing well finally broke down with a knock-on in the 22.

The ball was turned over and again the Blues’ backs and forwards combined well but could not make that crucial line break.

Samways tried a speculative cross-kick which Guy Brazier reached but was penalised for obstructing the opposing player.

Bridport continued with some excellent defence forcing crucial penalties to be conceded to keep their line secure and go in at half-time 7-0 down.

As perhaps was to be expected North Dorset’s set piece dominance soon put the Blues under pressure and they eventually conceded a try when North Dorset had numbers out wide to score.

The Blues where now playing mainly in their 22 and when Brazier was yellow carded for a deliberate knock on stopping a certain try North Dorset opted for a scrum and drove over for a try.

With the kick off not progressing 10 yards, the Blues got a turnover from the scrum and quick ball to Jed Gravelle saw him make a superb break down the wing over halfway.

However, the move broke down and North Dorset responded by kicking long for touch, gaining a line-out penalty and from the resulting scrum driving over for their bonus-point try.

Adam Trevis grabbed one of the tries, adding to a brace from Robbie Sampson.

This was quickly followed by a fifth try, scored by Tom Ashfield in the corner, after which the Blues mounted a series of attacks into their opponents’ 22 with some good handling by forwards and backs but again the North Dorset defence stood firm until the final whistle.

Bridport’s next game is at Bestwall, to face Swanage & Wareham on Saturday.