BOURNEMOUTH THIRDS 7

WEYMOUTH 29

DEBUTANT Joel Wilson ran in two tries as Weymouth made the perfect start to their Dorset & Wilts One South campaign.

The Monmouth Avenue outfit returned from Bournemouth Thirds with a 29-7 victory and already occupy top spot after the opening round of fixtures.

Wilson stole the show but there were also tries for Will Quick and Will Hughes in what head coach Paul Harding described as an “encouraging” display.

He said: “There was a lot of encouragement in our performance and I could not single anyone out as it was a good team performance. But Joel got two tries on his debut and was tremendous.”

Harding went on to add: “Things didn’t quite run for us to start with, perhaps we were trying too hard, but as we got into the game we played some really good rugby.

“I was really pleased with the forwards, we had a good pack performance and our new-look back-line functioned well, with all our tries coming from the back.

“It’s a good start and the building blocks are there. If we can fine tune a few things we will be okay.

“This time last year we had drawn our opening game and not played particularly well. This year we have played well and got a decisive win.”

Craig Barter chipped in with a penalty and a conversion while Max Baudouin twice added the extras to complete the visitors’ tally.

Next up for Weymouth is a trip to Salisbury Seconds, who also marked the new season with victory – 18-10 at Warminster.