WEYMOUTH & PORTLAND 38

BRIDPORT 3

Bridport were well beaten local rivals Weymouth & Portland at Monmouth Avenue on Saturday.

A scoreless opening 15 minutes saw both teams shake off a bit of early season rustiness as a few handling errors made it a stop start affair.

As the first half progressed, Weymouth's power started to have an impact though, and the hosts opened the scoring through James Newsam.

The Seahorses captain went over the line in the corner after a drive from a line out allowed him to finish in the corner. Ryan Lewendon was unable to convert though with the wind playing havoc.

After the break, Weymouth extended their lead to 10-0 as Newsam again crossed the whitewash after some powerful forward play.

The Daggers did manage to get a score shortly afterwards as Cam White kicked a penalty in the testing conditions but it was all Weymouth from thereon after.

Ed Van Deurs Goss intercepted a ball at the 22 and went onto score under the posts and took over kicking duties and converted easily from close range.

A rumble from forward Tim Comben saw the prop go 20 metres to the 22 before the ball went nicely through the hands with Joe Gibson finishing. Van Deurs Goss added the extras.

Arun Rennie then added a fifth try for the Seahorses as he ran in over the line with Van Deurs Goss again adding the conversation.

Finally, Comben grabbed a second try of the afternoon to add some gloss to the Seahorses performance. 

Despite the defeat, Daggers were positive about their performance, especially as they were playing a very strong, physical team in poor weather conditions.

Leading from the front, Charlie Samways worked hard all afternoon, and other players of note were Cam White, Tommy Brown and Luke Robertson who all stepped up and had good performances.

Daggers Man of the Match was Daragh McCloughlin, who fronted up to the Weymouth forwards and was a constant thorn in the Weymouth side.

Bridport's next game will take place at home on Saturday, September 14, when they take on East Dorset Dockers.

The club will also be hosting a past captain’s lunch, with all former club skippers welcome.