Dorset & Wilts Division One South

Swanage & Wareham II 32

Bridport 3

BRIDPORT were left counting the cost of missing men after Swanage & Wareham got the better of them in Dorset & Wilts Division One South.

The Blues, who topped the table after four consecutive victories, were without five of their regular pack and were consequently chasing the game for long periods.

Resolute defending restricted the Swans to a tally of 32 points compared to Bridport's single penalty and Swans have leapt above the Brewery Ground outfit in the table.

"We had six guys drop out and five of them were forwards so we didn't get much ball," said Blues' head coach Paul Ninnim.

Without possession the Blues found themselves on the back foot for most of the afternoon and it became a matter of when and not if the Swans would secure the victory.

Ninnim was disappointed with the commitment shown by his men and warned them of the effort required to realise their ambitions.

"That is why Bridport are a Dorset and Wilts Division One side or a Southern Counties side at best," added the boss.

"If you want to achieve greater things you have to put more effort in."

The coach was happy with the way his side defended in the face of constant pressure from the Swans and he saved praise for Dave Herbert, who was handed his debut in the top of the table clash.

Herbert, who played cricket for Bridport during the summer, has taken his time to shake off a hamstring injury he picked up at the end of the cricket season, but looked like a useful recruit for the Blues.

Bridport have no game this weekend after they were knocked out of the EDF Energy Senior Vase by Honiton. They are hoping to arrange a friendly before they return to league action against Warminster on October 20.