Blues march on

Bridport 31 Puddletown 15

EARLY pacesetters Bridport had too much pace and power for their old rivals, writes John McHugh.

The visitors had the benefit of a strong wind in the first half to put the first points on the board. Dave Hoola finished off a nice handling move to go over in the right corner for an unconverted try.

The Blues responded promptly with a similar right hand corner try by Stefan McMasters, with Chris Backhouse making the conversion to put the home side ahead.

Chunky Chant was then the final man in a clever interchange among the Bridport forwards, who had been pressurising the Puddletown line. Chant received a slick flick pass from hooker Tony Herbert to score at close range.

Tom Foot brought the visitors back into the game with a classy break in the centre to score under the posts. Foot not only converted his try but also kicked a penalty kick to give Puddletown a half time lead of 15-12.

The Blues kept up the pressure in the second half, using the fierce power of Shaun Stewart in the centre and Dave Blakesley at number eight to blast into their opponents defensive line.

Both players made excellent ground and were able to retain possession of the ball for the pack to play off and feed the three-quarters.

It was scrum half Chris Scadding who scored the first try after the interval. Captain Tim Edwards had made the hard yards from a maul before popping the ball up for Scadding to go over. Backhouse duly converted.

Scadding turned playmaker for McMasters second try. Bridport won a scrum in front of the Puddletown posts and Scadding broke to the right. McMasters took a difficult bouncing pass before dotting the ball down in the favoured right corner for an unconverted try.

The Blues stuck with their winning formula and were able to close the game with a well-worked try from Backhouse, who completed the afternoon with his final conversion.

Other results: North Dorset 2nd 5 Blandford 33; Oakmedians 3rd 20 Dorchester 2nd 13; Swanage 3rd 43 Bournemouth 2nd 5; Wimborne 3rd 10 Weymouth 40