Plate prize for Weymouth

BRIDPORT 0 WEYMOUTH 24

WEYMOUTH saved arguably their best performance of the season for the Dorset & Wilts Plate final – beating rivals Bridport at Wimborne RFC.

Both sides were at full strength with Weymouth in the envious position of being able to field a recently selected England player – Jake Guildford.

But it was Bridport who started the stronger and were the more dangerous in possession going forward.

However, staunch defending kept them at bay and once Weymouth had settled they asserted their authority.

And the Monmouth Avenue outfit went on to grab the opening try through Hamish Jeffcott, who then added the extras himself.

Weymouth were now in the ascendancy and extended their lead when Guildford smashed his way over the line.

The remainder of the half failed to produce any further points but Bridport continued to look dangerous, particularly when the ball was in the hands of their skipper Jasper Mowatt.

The second half began in much the same fashion as the first had finished, with both sides probing.

But Weymouth resumed control and swift work inside the opposing half saw right winger Matt Dobson jink through the defence and score a well-worked try under the posts, which was duly converted by Jeffcott. Bridport began to counter-attack at every opportunity. But the Weymouth defence stood firm, particularly Ben Waller, who delivered a man of the match display.

Fatigue was beginning to set in among the West Dorset side and Weymouth took advantage.

This time the ball was worked down to Bridport’s five-metre line, where Weymouth captain Charlie Parkinson picked up and drove over to score the final points of the game and cue wild celebrations.