WEYMOUTH & PORTLAND 51

BOURNEMOUTH III 17

WEYMOUTH & Portland began their Wadworth 6X Dorset & Wilts One South campaign with a resounding 51-17 victory over Bournemouth Thirds at Monmouth Avenue.

The Seahorses, who narrowly escaped relegation last season thanks to a stirring upturn in fortunes, ran in seven tries against their East Dorset opponents, who had twice beaten them in the previous term.

Alex Toms got the hosts off to a good start, converting a penalty after 10 minutes, and soon afterwards Lewis Allan ran over for the Seahorses’ first try.

Weymouth dominated the scrum all game and excellent movement from their forward pack was a real feature of this win, building on the best notes of last season.

Brothers Dan and Billy Hayne also got on the scoresheet in a superb first half, with Bournemouth only able to add an unconverted try as the visitors trailed 32-5 at half-time.

Toms added more points via a penalty in the second half, while veteran Ian Tibble came off the bench to score a try as the Seahorses’ day improved further still.

Andy Bowditch continued his try-scoring habit and he was joined by Allan’s second of the game, the scrum-half slicing through Bournemouth to take his side over the 50 points mark.

New recruit from Dorchester Jamie Ritchie earned a sin bin for a professional foul and Bournemouth did add two late tries, but their efforts were far too late as Weymouth & Portland’s season got off and running in style.

Speaking to Echosport following the triumph, Seahorses’ coach Simon Litster believes hard work undertaken by his charges during the summer was beginning to “pay off”.

He said: “Last year it took us a bit of time to get going, this time it was right from the off.

“It was a really good performance by the whole lot and we used all seven replacements to give everybody some game time, which was positive.

“The work we put in over the summer seemed to pay off. They seemed to have taken on board the moves and style of play. We dominated the scrums which always sets a good platform.”

He added: “It’s really good to see the squad hungry – what a difference a season makes. The new players that came into the squad did well.

“We’ve got a powerful pack and now a pretty mobile pack. They’ve got used to running at space and being a bit more dynamic.”

Litster’s men travel to Bridport, who were beaten 96-0 by Swanage and Wareham, on Saturday (3pm).

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