BOURNEMOUTH III 12 PUDDLETOWN 7

PUDDLETOWN had to make do with a losing bonus point from their first Dorset & Wilts Two South game of the new year.

Playing with the wind in the first half, the Villagers failed to make use of the elements as the game was dominated by the heavier Bournemouth pack.

But despite driving the Puddletown eight backwards in the scrum the visitors’ defence held firm and the half ended without a single point being scored.

The second period started as the first had finished, with Bournemouth applying all the pressure.

The deadlock was finally broken when the home side’s pack drove forward and sucked in the Villagers’ defence.

They then span the ball out wide and with a concise move cut back inside to score a converted try.

Normal service resumed from the restart as the big men from Bournemouth continued to push the visitors around the park.

Their pressure told and the hosts built up a head of steam in a rolling maul, leaving the huge number-eight to bulldoze over for an unconverted try.

With the home side’s pack now tiring, Puddle-town began to play their trademark running rugby, but a mixture of handling errors and good defence kept them at bay.

Puddletown eventually won a lineout on the Bournemouth 10-metre line, scrum-half Lucas Frizzle caught the tap back and broke through a gap, pictured.

With support from the more mobile visiting pack, the ball was recycled back to Frizzle again and he showed good pace and tenacity to break tackles and score.

Tom Yeatman converted to make it 12-7.

Puddletown looked the more likely to score during the remainder of the game, but both defences cancelled out any attacking play.

The Villagers stay fourth in the table and go to Wimborne Thirds next.