CORSHAM 28

WEYMOUTH & PORTLAND 27

WEYMOUTH & Portland agonisingly lost by a single point as fellow promoted side Corsham claimed a 28-27 win over the Seahorses.

Rich Bament’s men have endured a tough start to the Counties One Tribute Southern South season, losing four of five matches.

They did take a losing bonus point from this encounter in Wiltshire but could have earned more for a win having led 27-20 in the final stages.

Luke Beynon’s fine early try, scampering clear after a well-worked backs routine, was converted by James Baker to put the visitors 7-0 up.

READ MORE: Weymouth & Portland 20-26 Sherborne - report

Defensive lapses then allowed Corsham to open a 20-7 lead, securing two converted tries and two penalties.

Joe Gibson responded by breaking away from a maul to score a second try for the Seahorses, Baker again kicking the extras, to reduce the deficit.

And the equilibrium was restored when Baker landed two penalties, the sides going into the break at 20-all.

Weymouth & Portland dominated the second half and crossed for a third try when the Seahorses’ pack forced the Corsham defence off the ball, enabling James Newsam to score.

Baker converted, bringing his tally to 12 points, as Bament’s charges retook the lead.

However, mistakes cost the Seahorses further chances to extend their lead and Corsham duly made it 27-25, scoring in the corner.

When Andy Bowditch was sin-binned for failing to retreat ten metres, the pressure increased and the concession of a penalty in front of the posts handed Corsham victory.

Bament told Echosport: “It was extremely frustrating, we didn’t play the best and didn’t deserve to win.

“We clawed ourselves back into it at half-time but we just weren’t clinical enough in the second half, that’s the crux of it.

“The guys are performing really well in training but sometimes it doesn’t click on the day, sometimes the pace catches us out.

“Defences are a lot more organised, so we’ve got to find other ways to break down the defence, which we’re finding. We’re just not taking our chances.”

Weymouth & Portland are tenth of the 12 teams and next host Swanage & Wareham on Saturday, October 14.