Puddletown 3 - Bridport 74
OCT
THIS was a game to forget for the depleted Villagers who were comprehensively beaten on the day by Dorset & Wilts One South rivals Bridport.
Both clubs were looking to bounce back following defeat the previous weekend, but late withdrawals, unavailability, and a string of injuries meant that the home side took to the field without a recognised scrum-half and with a hastily reorganised back division.
The Blues on the other hand had no such selection problems and showed their intentions within the first five minutes with a well-worked try following an overlap on the left.
A similar break just minutes later saw them increase their lead to 10-0, but then Puddletown’s forwards started to find some rhythm and mounted a series of attacks, and although they were able to make ground in midfield, further progress was repeatedly frustrated by Bridport’s blanket defence.
That proved to be the pattern for the rest of the half with the home side failing to capitalise on any hard won possession, while the visitors used theirs to full advantage, running in a further three scores to take a 29-0 lead into the break.
Bridport went further ahead straight from the restart with a try in the corner.
And although the Villagers did then get on the score-sheet with a penalty kick from skipper Dan Udell, it was the visitors’ running rugby which dominated the rest of the match and they finished off with a further six tries to complete the rout.
To their credit the home side competed right up to the final whistle but with so many key players missing had no real answers to the visitors’ speed and confidence in open play.
After the game Udell said: “I have no complaints, we were well beaten and we have to take it on the chin.
“But I take heart from the attitude we showed, heads didn’t drop despite the score, and we stuck to our task."
Dorset Piddle Brewery Man of the Match: Toby Boatswain
