WEYMOUTH & PORTLAND 17

CORSHAM 10

WEYMOUTH & Portland collected their fourth win of the Counties One Tribute Southern South season, beating fellow promoted side Corsham 17-10 at Monmouth Avenue.

The Seahorses stay 10th of the 12 teams but are now 13 points above Yeovil.

Rich Bament’s men experienced a narrow 28-27 loss at Corsham in the reverse fixture and were forced to retrieve a 7-0 deficit after Corsham scored the opening try after escaping down the blindside.

In response, Weymouth & Portland enjoyed a spell of pressure in Corsham’s 22, allowing Jordan Gray to barge his way over beside the posts for 7-7.

James Baker later pulled a penalty to the left of the uprights before half-time but the hosts came alive in the second half.

READ MORE: Sherborne 31-7 Weymouth & Portland - report

Scrum-half Jacob Brunell sniped underneath the posts for a converted try before Baker slotted over a penalty, taking the Seahorses beyond a score’s reach.

The Wiltshire side did end strongly with a penalty of their own but the damage had already been done as Weymouth & Portland made amends for their defeat earlier in the season.

Speaking to Echosport, Bament said: “Our guys knew they could do it. Corsham were always going to be tricky.

“However, to me, it was pretty obvious from the first 20 minutes that there was a win here, it just depended how we performed.

“I think we made hard work of it and the scoreline could’ve been a lot, lot more. We just had to be more clinical, which is the story of our life at the minute.

“We changed a few things up with the style that we play. Now, we’re not so much gung-ho, more of a controlled manner. It paid dividends in the end.”

On the more pragmatic approach, Bament added: “It’s a learning thing for the players.

“Last year with two or three phases you’re probably going to score a try as the defences aren’t so much organised.

“Whereas, now, they’re a lot more organised and put on a lot more pressure so you have to work for every point you get.”

Combe Down away now lies in wait on Saturday.

“A total unknown,” Bament added. “Spirits are high as they always are when you have a win.

“We’ll go there and play our game and come back hopefully with a result.

“They seem to perform quite good at home, but we’ll do the best we can.”

Joe Gibson misses out but former skipper David Oaksford could return for the clash.