BRIDPORT 22

WIMBORNE II 35

Bridport lost to Wimborne II in their latest Counties Two match, writes Simon Bareham.

After a respectful Remembrance silence, both sets of supporters were in full voice encouraging their teams at the start.

With no advantage from any wind, the game got off to a good start. Both teams moving the ball between forwards and backs and the tackles were flying in, with the usual ‘strong men’ of Bridport making their presence felt.

However, despite strong ball carrying by Louis Cornick, Luke Robertson and Daragh McCloughlin, taking the ball into the Wimborne half, Wimborne capitalised on an unforced error to put Bridport onto the back foot.

Wimborne’s No.10 spiralled a long kick into Bridport’s half. The resulting lineout and then some skilful movement off the ball put the Wimborne winger into the corner for the first try.

The No.10 had clearly packed his kicking boots, and made the first of 5 conversions, this one struck from the 5m line.

Both teams spent time in each other’s halves, but Bridport finally broke down the Wimborne defence to score an unconverted try, resulting from good ball retention and further direct running from the Bridport forwards.

At 5-7, Bridport hoped to have stemmed the tide, but another secure lineout allowed the influential Wimborne 12 to charge through some abstract defence, with another converted try, taking the score to 5-14.

A high tackle and yellow card allowed Wimborne to push deep into the Bridport half. A secure lineout and quick hands by the Wimborne backs allowed the No.15 to come into the line and run in the last 20 yards to score a third converted try, score 5-21.

Bridport were not downhearted and should be credited for not capitulating, with Iwan Mullin scoring a converted try just before half time. The half time score fairly reflected the game at 12-21.

Wimborne were quick into the second half, with the Wimborne backs now really influencing the game, quickly scoring a fourth converted try giving Wimborne a 12-28 advantage and looking like they would push on hard.

An extended delay interrupted further play with an injury concern for Oscar Tompkins, who was well attended by the Wimborne physio. Everyone was relieved to see him leave the field on his feet.

Disarray from Bridport on the halfway line and a kind bounce for the Wimborne 13 allowed the ball to be run in for the fifth converted try, making the score 12-35.

Again, Bridport responded, determined not to give up. A skilful and clever delayed pass by Charlie Samways drew the Wimborne defence and allowed Cornick to burst through like a gazelle and run in for a well-deserved try for Bridport.

Bridport at this stage had the better of the last quarter, supporting each other and taking quick penalties which kept Wimborne on their toes, realising that they weren’t going to run away with the game.

The final say went to Bridport with the last unconverted try being scored by a push over scrum with Robertson scoring. Final score 22-35.