NORTH DORSET 64
BRIDPORT 0
BRIDPORT suffered a second heavy defeat of the season, going down 64-0 in Tribute Dorset & Wilts One South at a strong North Dorset side.
Played in atrocious weather, which continued throughout the match, Bridport suffered with a squad of only 16 players caused by a combination of injuries and player availability.
Some of the players were having to play out of position and inevitably a difficult afternoon followed.
The omens for the Blues were not good when the strong North Dorset forwards quickly set up attacking platforms to take a 12-0 lead within the first 10 minutes, Adam Trevis scoring the first try of the game
Whatever they tried the Blues were not able to keep any meaningful possession, being put under immense pressure by the North Dorset forwards in the set-pieces.
READ MORE: Bridport 15-51 Blandford - match report
With the Blues’ scrum going backwards, particularly after losing their first choice second row to injury, North Dorset quickly extended their lead with good handling and fast running backs scoring two further tries.
Things got worse for the Blues going down to 14 men when coach Ayo Fraser had to leave the field with still 15 minutes until half-time.
Blues stuck manfully to their task with their man of the match Daragh McLoughlin doing a tremendous job in the scrum with several pick and drives from a seriously retreating scrum.
However, they were powerless to stop North Dorset scoring two further tries for a 38-0 half-time lead.
With the rain showing no sign of relenting, the Blues were back to 15 for the second half when Fraser came back on with a heavily strapped elbow.
Sadly, it was more of the same in the second half with North Dorset dominating all facets of the game.
Bridport showed tremendous determination in fighting hard to limit the damage and in fact restricted North Dorset to scoring a further four tries.
In almost the last play of the game a clever cross kick to Oscar Tompkins saw him make a great break into the hosts’ half, which with good backing up took the Blues into the opponents’ 22.
North Dorset were penalised and with the referee indicating the last play of the match the Blues opted for the attempt on goal. With no regular goal kicker Adam Vickery stepped up to the mark only to see his attempt drift inches wide.
On reflection, Fraser said he always expected this fixture to be tough, made doubly so by the depleted squad.
He said thankfully there were no real injury concerns and the team had to take it on the chin and move on. With players returning this weekend he will be looking for all-round improvements when Swanage & Wareham Seconds visit the Brewery Ground.
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