WESTBURY 78 BRIDPORT 14

A BRIDPORT side ravaged by injuries really did have an afternoon to forget at Westbury in Dorset & Wilts One South.

After a promising start to the season, which saw them win their first two fixtures, the West Dorset outfit had just 13 fit players available for the game with the same number on the sidelines.

All 13 who started also finished the match and each could have been nominated as man of the match for effort and hard work alone.

Dave Cutting chose to play an eight-man pack to have some chance of winning ball, but this left the backs two players light throughout.

Westbury played on this throughout and moved the ball wide at every opport- unity to create overlaps and score a number of simple tries – exactly what any team with such a numerical advantage would have done.

Young prop Justin Gurd went over for a try for the Blues in the first half after a series of pick and drives, with Rory Greening adding the conversion.

To prove their commitment to the end, Bridport scored their second try just before the final whistle.

John Butler ran the ball from a penalty close to the Westbury line, sold a dummy, and let Andy Livingstone have the glory of touching down. Greening again converted before a long trip home.

Bridport’s next game is at home on Saturday against Salisbury Seconds (3pm). The match is preceded by the sponsor’s lunch and a good turnout is anticipated.

Meanwhile, in Dorset & Wilts Four, Bridport Seconds could not raise a side to face Weymouth Thirds and had to forfeit the match.