SHERBORNE SECONDS 36

WEYMOUTH & PORTLAND 5

WEYMOUTH & Portland succumbed 36-5 to a solid Sherborne Seconds side, who were forced to withstand a great second-half resurgence from the Seahorses in the Wadworth 6X Dorset & Wilts One South.

The first half went very much the way of the home side, as the visitors struggled to get a real foothold in the match.

Billy Haine and Jason Hoskins both played in the centre, with the former usually a hooker and the latter a flanker.

The Seahorses struggled for possession in a half that became quite one-sided, as Sherborne monopolised the ball and were able to drive in 29 points.

The Borne were able to thwart line-outs and 50/50 balls to dominate Weymouth, and it wasn’t long into the match that they got their reward.

The first try was driven in after four minutes but Weymouth replied and came back at the Borne.

However, their efforts would prove fruitless, and a penalty after 10 minutes extended the score for the home side.

The Borne then added another try to make it 17-0, before the Seahorses grabbed a score.

A move from Dave Oaksford fed Lewis Allan on the right, who drew his man and fed Ryan Keeble-Kinsella on the wing to drive over and score.

Two quick tries just before half-time dented the Seahorses’ attempts at grafting any momentum.

In the second half Weymouth had vastly more possession and were able to string some good moves together.

They began to pressure the Sherborne defence, who did very well to fight off Weymouth.

Sherborne added another converted try, while the Seahorses could not find a breakthrough despite some promising breaks.

Coach Simon Litster said: “I would say that the teams were better matched than the scoreline suggests to be honest.

“There was quite a wind and a slope but irrespective of that we started off OK considering we had a very changed side and were playing several players out of position.

“I think Sherborne are quite good at rotating some players, so some of the players we played against had first-team experience, and Sherborne are a much higher level than the second team.”

Referring to Haine and Hoskins playing in the centre, Litster added: “Normally it would be a hell of a risk, but actually they defended extremely well.”

“The mood in the team was far better after a 30-odd point defeat, than it was the week before with a six-point defeat to Puddletown to be honest.

“The second half gave me a lot of encouragement and gave the lads a lot of encouragement.”

Weymouth & Portland: Comben, Sankey, Bowditch, Leatham, Norton, Richards, Driver, Oaksford, Allen, Toms, Keeble-Kinsella, Haine, Hoskins, White, Farley Reps: Tibble, Davies

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