COACH Paul Ninnim claims the “conservative” approach his players have adopted has been vindicated by their run of stellar results.

Bridport are in pole position, four points clear of their closest rivals at the pinnacle of Dorset & Wilts One South, thanks to a sequence of seven consecutive league victories.

Having finished as runners-up to Dorchester last season and missed out on elevation to Southern Counties South, Ninnim is desperate to go one better this time.

The Blues’ chief believes past mistakes have been rectified and reckons his troops have been rewarded for their more cautious tactics.

Ninnim said: “We won games by bigger margins last year because we were more expansive, but we also lost close games that we’ve been winning this season.

“We have been more conservative and got the results. That shows the players have learnt from previous experiences, which is crucial.

“I’ve said before that we won’t run through teams if we get promoted. This is a great learning curve and an opportunity for us to develop and keep improving.”

Despite the postponement of their game with Salisbury Seconds last Saturday, Bridport are in little danger of encountering a fixture backlog, with 10 games left to be played.

The decision to cancel was taken on Thursday after the Brewery Ground had been left frozen solid in the wake of the persistent cold snap.

February 6 – currently vacant – looks likely to accommodate the match but the Blues have more pressing engagements, starting with this Saturday’s visit of near-neighbours Puddletown.

And Ninnim, whose side smashed 74 points past the Villagers in the reverse fixture, added: “It’s something of a local derby and another big match.

“I think Puddletown had a lot of injuries when we last played them but they’ll give us a battle up front and it’s important that we continue to defend as well we have done.”

Meanwhile, Bridport Seconds’ Dorset & Wilts Two South fixture away to Wheatsheaf Cabin Crew was also postponed due to a frozen pitch.

The seconds are scheduled to travel to Fordingbridge Seconds this Saturday, weather permitting, for what would be their first competitive action since December 12.