WIMBORNE SECONDS 12

WEYMOUTH & PORTLAND 57

WEYMOUTH & Portland’s forwards dominated Wimborne Seconds to secure victory on the opening day of the 2021/22 season.

Rich Bament’s Seahorses were playing their first Tribute Dorset & Wilts One South match in 18 months and made a slightly rusty start before finding their feet.

Wimborne caught the visitors off guard with a sharp score early on, the hosts’ inside centre showing good footwork to outfox the covering defence for an unconverted try.

However, Weymouth & Portland controlled the game thereafter, running in several tries to establish a 29-12 lead at half-time.

Joe Gibson crossed for two long-distance tries and Billy Hayne also notched a brace.

Captain Dave Oaksford, ex-skipper Andy Bowditch, Luke Benyon, Todd Purcell and Will Quick also got in on the act as Weymouth prevented Wimborne from adding to their tally.

READ MORE: Weymouth & Portland smash target in charity run

Ryan Llewendon also kicked six conversion attempts.

Speaking to Echosport, Bament said: “It was a stop-start affair, one of those first games of the season.

“We went up there and didn’t know what to expect from a second team. After letting them score in the first 30 seconds that shook us into life.

“Then tries came regularly all the way through the first half. They didn’t get a sniff in the second half, to be honest. They had a few injuries but we were always in control.

“(We) were getting a bit complacent at the end of the first half but we sorted it all out at half-time and it was a much improved second half.

“We just tightened up a few areas.

“The rucks were loose and we just went through what we’re good at, which is using the forwards before the backs.

“Quite a few of the forwards did score tries but they came off the backs’ moves as support runners.”

The Seahorses will be looking to maintain their perfect start against Oakmeadians at Monmouth Avenue on Saturday.

Bament said: “We were quite strong at home last season and had quite a good record.

“The guys are excited to be back. Oakmeadians are a good team, usually have some good university players in there and are well coached.

“It’s normally a good old battle for the whole 80 minutes and not a runaway game.

“It’s a good competition all round with forwards and backs.”

Weymouth & Portland will be without Will Quick, while Matt Savage also misses out due to running the London Marathon.

Seahorses: Comben, B Hayne, Davis, Eckersley, Oaksford, Norton, D Hayne, A Bowditch, Barter, Legg, Purcell, Llewendon, Beynon, Savage, Cummimgs. Replacements: Gibson, D Bowditch, Belcuore, Sankey.