Bridport 32 SHERBORNE II 17

BRIDPORT returned to the Dorset & Wilts One South summit with their fourth successive bonus-point victory.

The Blues raced into a 14-0 lead with tries from Liam Poole and Donald Farmer – both of which were converted by Bob Lester-Card.

However, three successful penalty kicks saw Sherborne Seconds close the gap before the hosts found themselves a man down when Tim Edwards was sent to the sin-bin.

Fortunately, Bridport made a similar start as the second half got underway with Ryan de la Hunty touching down.

Lester-Card went on to dispatch two penalties and although the visitors hit back with a drop goal and try, the home side had the last word as Mike Pibworth crossed the whitewash, with Lester-Card adding the extras once more.

Skipper Ricky Stubbs said: “It was an excellent win and a tough game.

“We got off to the perfect start with a try in the first minute and although we got another converted try we then started to give away a series of penalties.

“We also had Tim Edwards sin-binned after 35 minutes and they were coming back at us. At half-time we were 14-9 ahead and after the half-time talk we scored almost immediately.

“We then kicked a penalty and although they got a drop goal, which you don’t often see at our level, we got another penalty.

“They scored a try in the 70th minute but with four minutes to go we scored our fourth try, which secured a bonus point and helped put us top of the table.

“Afterwards we all knew we had been in a tough game. It was ours to lose at half-time but we settled down in the second half and played the way we should do.

“The only downside was we picked up our third long-term knee injury of the season already as Matthew Powne got injured within 20 minutes.

“We have good depth in the squad but we could do without any more injuries.”

Saturday’s success saw the Blues replace Ivel Barbarians at the top and both teams go head-to-head in Yeovil this weekend (3pm).

Stubbs added: “It’s a big game. We’ve both won four out of four and we’ve both played similar sides, so it’s going to be a good game to watch.”