PUDDLETOWN 8 WEYMOUTH & PORTLAND 33

WEYMOUTH & Portland returned to league rugby with a five-try triumph at Puddletown in Dorset & Wilts Two South.

As Weymouth, the club withdrew its first XV from Southern Counties South late last year due to a lack of players.

But the Monmouth Avenue outfit, which changed its name in May to incorporate Portland, are back and looking like they mean business.

Jake Guildford, Steve Nation Grainger, Joe Gibson, Ryan Lewendon and Bryn Llewellyn all crossed against Puddletown, while there were a number of other impressive performances throughout the squad.

George Carter, Mattie Driver and Sean Murphy delivered on the day, and both hooker Ade Walker and scrum-half Ryan Keable Kinsella hit the ground running in their new positions.

Summer recruit Llewellyn was involved in everything at fly-half – he also kicked eight points – and it was good to see Nation Grainger score a try on his return to competitive rugby after being out for more than a year through injury.

“It was a great start to the season,” said Weymouth & Portland captain Kevin Leatham. “We’ve been working really hard on our fitness and on playing a more expansive game.

“We’ve also done a lot of work on our scrummaging and that paid off because we dominated the scrum on Saturday.

“Everyone had a part to play and it was a great all-round team performance.

“We played an expansive game at a high tempo and it worked for us, but it wasn’t an easy match and you have to give credit to Puddletown who made it hard for us.

He added: “We’ve been rebuilding the squad through pre-season and have picked up a couple of new players.

“Some of the guys are also playing in different positions.

“We played in a tournament a couple of weeks ago and that gave people the chance to find their feet.

“The guys are gelling with every game and training session, and they are getting better all the time.

“We’re aiming for the top three this season but taking every game as it comes for now.”

Leatham’s men entertain Dorchester Seconds this Saturday.