WEYMOUTH & Portland entered a team in the inaugural Bridport 10s tournament, along with seven other sides.

The Seahorses won all three of their opening group matches to qualify for the semi-finals.

First up was Crewkerne who they beat by 17-7 followed by a well-worked victory over long distance visitors and eventual winners, Pulborough by 14-5.

Their third match against Castle Cary was a testing battle with both teams exchanging tries but the Seahorses pulled clear in the last two minutes, running out 24-14 winners.

Opposition in the semi-final comprised of a mixed Crewkerne and Lytchett Minster team due to several players needing to leave early.

Unfortunately, the three group stage victories came at a price with several players sustaining injuries so it was a depleted side that took the field who eventually lost a close encounter 22-19, conceding a try in the dying seconds after the referee reversed a penalty decision for offside.

Captain Dave Oaksford said: “This was a very good pre-season test for us to see how much we have improved during summer training.

“I was very proud of the players especially in beating a very fancied Pulborough side that went through to win the tournament.

“We simply ran out of players due to injuries and had to draft in four players from other teams for our semi-final.”

Top scorer Lewis Allan celebrated his birthday with five tries (25pts) followed by James Davis with 18 (two tries and four conversions).

Kieran Mayall added four conversions and tries were scored by Johnny Young, captain Dave Oaksford, Callum Guest and Khylo Farley (2).

Making up the squad were Lewis Richards, Ian Tibble, Chris Hurrell, Andy Bowditch, Ben Mellor, Matt Driver and Harry Bocio.