Match report: Wheatsheaf Cabin Crew (H)

The Bridport Daggers were victorious in their final game of 2023 at home against Wheatsheaf Cabin Crew. The game had been sponsored by Palmers Brewery, who provided the match balls and man of the match award.

The opening stages of the game were reflective of the ebb and flow nature that proceeded, as both teams traded blows. In the end it was Daggers who gained the first advantage, gaining ground through playing the ball wide and applying pressure through territory. The strong defence counted for Daggers, as a fumbled ball was seized well by Cameron Frank Waite, who went over in the corner for an unconverted score.

In the next passage of play, Wheatsheaf kicked long to Corben Newman who began a weaving run, only to be brought down illegally by a high tackle. The referee awarded Wheatsheaf’s outside centre with a red card, taking them down to fourteen players for the rest of the game.

From the subsequent penalty, Daggers continued to gain territory and build pressure in Wheatsheaf’s half. Sensibly, Daggers made this early pressure and additional man count, as Sam Petchey took three points on offer from a penalty close to the posts.

Daggers continued to build on their advantage, as the team began to raise the tempo of the game against a large Wheatsheaf forward pack. A well-taken quick tap penalty by Rory Greening caught the Wheatsheaf defence asleep, as he went over for an unconverted try.

Wheatsheaf then began to throw some shots of their own, playing into their strengths around their line out and maul drill. The pressure brought on through heavy forward carries enabled the Wheatsheaf second row to pick the ball through the ruck and find the gap in the backfield to score.

Daggers continued to find tempo in the game, moving the ball wide and taking quick tap penalties when they were on offer. One of these quick taps drew reward, as Wheatsheaf’s winger was yellow carded for not retreating the full ten meters and preventing a clear line break. This took Wheatsheaf down to thirteen men for ten minutes running into half time. Sadly, Daggers were unable to capitalise on this advantage and an unfortunate injury to Daggers’ flanker Kian Bentley saw the game moved to the roadside pitch at half time.

Wheatsheaf were clearly galvanised by some strong words at the break, as they came out with ferocity in their forward carries and defence. Wheatsheaf continued to apply pressure through their maul, and some loose tackling from Daggers enabled Wheatsheaf to score an important try to bring them within one point.

In the second half, Daggers’ discipline began to subside, and easy penalties provided the opportunity for Wheatsheaf to gain territory and apply pressure. After a sustained period of attack, a high tackle from Daggers on the Wheatsheaf player saw a penalty awarded. This enabled the Wheatsheaf fly half to put his team in front for the first time in the game.
In the closing stages of the game, the Daggers managed to retain the ball and raise the tempo to stretch the Wheatsheaf defensive line. Strong attacking performances from Tom George and man of the match Luke Richards were continued in this telling passage, as Daggers attempted to get an important score. With minutes left to play, Wheatsheaf were penalised at the breakdown to give Daggers the chance to re-take the lead. Despite being a difficult kick, Petchey stepped up under pressure to give Daggers a one-point advantage going into the closing moments.

With space behind the Wheatsheaf defence, Greening kicked long and to the corner, hoping to keep the pressure on the away team. Wheatsheaf calmly returned to their solid line-out drills and created challenges for Daggers from their mauling game, drawing penalties from the referee. This enabled Wheatsheaf to send the ball deep into Daggers’ half and once again drive with their maul. It was from this that Wheatsheaf were awarded a penalty with no time left on the clock. The Wheatsheaf fly half attempted a challenging kick, which just drifted wide, sending Daggers into the Christmas break with a well-fought win.

Daggers’ next game will be away in the league against Blandford on 6th January 2024.