DORCHESTER 13

WEYMOUTH & PORTLAND 15

WEYMOUTH & Portland pulled off an upset over local rivals Dorchester to win the ‘Ridgeway Rumble’ 15-13 at Surcouf Park.

Rich Bament’s men took only their second Counties One Tribute Southern South win of the season to end a five-game losing streak, while Dorchester will argue ill discipline cost them a chance of victory.

The game, as expected, started a little nervy but the home side had the better possession.

Following a big tackle on James Baker, George Foot was left with a concussion injury and had to be replaced after only ten minutes.

READ MORE: Corsham 0-33 Dorchester - report

Dorchester kept up the pressure and Tom Louch bulldozed over the Weymouth line but was held up.

With the possession they had in their opponents’ territory, the county town side did not make it pay until late into the first half.

Despite being down to 13 men, Jack Adams and Callum Mullins both carded for high tackles, Dorchester went into the break leading by five points as full-back Kieran Fry dived over in the right corner.

The visitors leveled the scores early in the second half, left winger Finn Pitman crossing after sustained pressure on the Dorchester line.

Dorchester then appeared to take control of the match and nearly scored again through Cohen Emery but Pitman got back to magnificently tackle the winger with the line beckoning.

However, Emery, on the end of swift passage of the ball through the home three quarter line finally scored Dorchester’s second try in the county town’s next attack of note.

READ MORE: Weymouth & Portland 0-38 Swanage & Wareham - report

Callum King’s conversion attempt hit a post but minutes later he added a penalty and Dorchester led 13-5.

After being awarded a penalty in midfield, backchat from a Dorchester player saw the penalty reversed, allowing Weymouth to kick to the corner and subsequently drive over for a converted try, scored by Ben Davies.

With time running out, more ill discipline allowed former Dorchester player James Baker to kick the winning penalty on 72 minutes.

Weymouth were overjoyed with the win having held on for the result unlike in previous games against Sherborne and Corsham.

Both sides were called up for backchat on a disappointingly high number of occasions, which was penalised and unfortunately left its mark on the game.

However, winning coach Rich Bament was delighted to get one over on his former club.

He told Echosport: “Before the game we had nothing to worry about and we had no pressure on us.

“So, to go up there and put in a performance like we did was very, very good. It was nip and tuck all the way through until the last ten or 15 minutes when we got ourselves the lead.

“Then, the guys showed great maturity to close out the game. We’ve pushed teams close, and results show that, but especially against Dorchester.

“I had very little input, it was all the players, and that’s what I want. They turn up to training, put the hard graft in and put it all into practice.

“For them to take it all on themselves with minimal input from me, was brilliant to see from a coaching point of view.”

Weymouth & Portland move up the table and now sit ninth, with Dorchester two places above them in seventh.

With a rest week for both sides coming up, Dorchester will look to restart their challenge against Frome, while the Seahorses entertain Walcot on Saturday, November 4.

Elsewhere at Surcouf Park, both of the county town’s other senior men’s sides notched-up victories giving the club plenty to celebrate, showing the strong numbers in players allowing the club to field three teams.

Dorchester will be holding their popular fireworks display on Sunday, November 5. Gates open at 5pm for the 7pm display.