WEYMOUTH & PORTLAND 10

WALCOT 20

WEYMOUTH & Portland were exposed to the brutal ways of life in Counties One Tribute Southern South after a 20-10 home loss to Walcot.

The Seahorses came away from the match ruing another missed opportunity after creating chances to score before ultimately squandering them.

Walcot, last season’s second-placed side, needed no further invitation to capitalise as a late converted breakaway try handed them victory.

Until then, the contest was hard-fought with the sides closely matched.

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Walcot kicked an early penalty to take a 3-0 lead but Rich Bament’s men responded with the first try of the afternoon, Billy Hayne barrelling over.

Weymouth & Portland then failed to exploit a spell of pressure in Walcot’s 22 and were forced to leave empty-handed before the half-time whistle.

They were punished in the opening minutes of the second half as Walcot crossed for a converted try and a 10-5 lead.

However, Weymouth & Portland’s forwards were experiencing joy at the breakdown and their power led to a second try for the hosts.

With the Seahorses pinning Walcot near their try line, the home forwards pushed the visiting pack off their own maul and Argentine flanker Facundo Belcuore was the grateful recipient to make it 10-10.

Another Walcot penalty re-established Walcot’s lead after their defence again held Weymouth up within sight of the whitewash.

Their rearguard efforts paid dividends when a crossfield kick was intercepted, Walcot running the length of the pitch to put the result beyond doubt in the 74th minute.

Speaking to Echosport, Bament said: “It’s bitterly disappointing, it’s definitely one we should’ve won, I feel.

“We were on top for large periods, but so were Walcot and we defended well. We’ve just had a couple of lapses in concentration.

"It’s the story of the year so far, we weren’t clinical when we had our chances and we’ve come out on the wrong side.

“It’s frustrating at the final whistle because it’s one they know they should’ve won.”

Weymouth & Portland now travel to the plush surroundings of Frome on Saturday for the first meeting between the sides in a decade.

Bament added: “We’ll go there and play to our strengths, they probably won’t know what to expect so it’s up to us to spring a surprise on them.

“They’re always a tough, robust team and it should be a close encounter.”

Reece Makin returns but Tim Comben (bicep) is out for four months after surgery and Luke Beynon (collar bone) is out for the season, also requiring an operation.

Scott Greaney could return but Dwayne Griffiths misses out through work commitments.