DORSET DOCKERS 24

WEYMOUTH & PORTLAND 15

WEYMOUTH & Portland were denied a late losing bonus point in a brilliant, but unsuccessful, battle against the Dorset Dockers.

Liam Berry came out of retirement to play for the Seahorses with coach Simon Litster needing a specialist prop to aid his side.

The Dockers scored an unconverted try after the first minute, via a break through the middle in what was a disastrous start for the Seahorses.

However, the Seahorses responded by pinning the Dockers back in their half through some clever kicks from Alex Toms.

The pressure told after 15 minutes, after several rucks close to the Dockers’ line, Lewis Allan slipped through under the posts to score a converted try to hand Weymouth the lead.

The visitors dominated for the rest of the half, with the Dockers struggling to make an impression.

A penalty was given late on to the Seahorses, who saw Toms convert to hand Weymouth a tight 10-5 lead at half-time.

The Dockers then made a good overlap on the left to equalise at 10-10 early in the second period.

The Seahorses were given a chance to re-take the lead through Toms via a penalty.

However, Toms hit a post and saw the ball rebound back.

Another penalty was then missed to the left of the post.

The Seahorses then paid the price, as with 10 minutes to go, the Dockers broke away and scored a converted try.

The visitors then retaliated, as Allan pushed over to claim his second score of the game, but the try was not converted.

With a losing bonus point seemingly in reach the Seahorses would face one further setback.

With the last action of the match, the Dockers forced the Seahorses on the back foot, and scored in the corner, with the successful conversion the last kick.

James Cooper, 17, started his first game out on the wing, but moved into the centre and impressed Litster on his first start for the senior side.

Litster said: “I don’t think the score really reflects how close the game was.

“Man of the match was a toss up between Andy Bowditch and Kevin Latham, both put in a huge number of tackles, Latham we decided to give man of the match to because of all the work he does in close play.”

Weymouth & Portland: Berry, Sankey, Bowditch, Norton, Latham, Hoskins, Boccio, Oaksford, Allan, Toms, White, Baynan, Hywel-Davies, Cooper, Farley

Reps: Tibble, Davis, Keeble-Kinsella, Richards

CONTACT ME:

t: 01305 830990

e: aidan.williams

@dorsetecho.co.uk

twitter: @EchosportAidan