WEYMOUTH & PORTLAND 32

BOURNEMOUTH III 27

WEYMOUTH & Portland moved level on points with Bournemouth Thirds after a crucial win in the race for second place in the Dorset & Wilts Two South.

However, the game was marred by serious injuries to both sides. The hosts suffered three head injuries as well as a broken nose and the visitors had one of their charges carted off with a broken leg.

The home side scored three tries in the first half to lead the Bournemouth side 20-10 and were able to hold on to their lead with two more tries in the second period.

Captain Kevin Leatham was happy with the win but he was disappointed to have conceded a late try to give Bournemouth a losing bonus point.

He said: “It was a good win for us. They came with a strong side and they came to win.

“It was an even-sided game but we managed to get some ascendency and take the win.

“After stoppages for injuries, we let in some easy tries at the end of the game and gave them a bonus point.”

Dan Hayne went over for the hosts early on to give them the lead before the away side pegged them back almost immediately.

Khylo Farley added three points from a penalty and then went over himself for a converted try to extend the lead to 10 points.

The captain added: “We played really well in the first half but after all the disruptions we took our foot off the gas and let them into the game.”

The game was moved pitches after the leg injury before Carl Neal and Joel Wilson both scored tries to put the game to bed. Farley kicked another conversion to round off the scoring for the hosts.

With a two-week break for the Seasiders, Leatham is confident his injured team-mates will be fit for their game against Bridport.

“Everyone was okay, there was a clash of heads that left a couple of our players a bit dazed, but luckily no concussions,” he explained.

“We need two more bonus-point wins to hopefully get promoted and I think we will have everyone fit for the Bridport game.”