Match Report: North Dorset II

Bridport’s start to 2022, a home game against second place North Dorset II, played like the reverse fixture in very wet conditions. They gave a good account of themselves after having not played for four weeks, holding them in the first half before succumbing to their superior set piece play and all round defence conceding four second half tries to lose 33-0.

Unlike previous games the Daggers defended well from the kick off and repelled a series of forward drives forcing a turnover and clearing their lines with a long kick from Charlie Samways. Penalties were then exchanged with North Dorset getting the ball into touch on the Bridport 22. From the resulting line out an excellent catch and drive showing the power of their forwards drove the ball over for a well converted score.

From the kick off Bridport gained a penalty and a superb long kick from Mitch Waters took the Daggers well into their opponents half. Sadly with the Bridport line out under extreme pressure North Dorset turned the ball over and cleared their lines. Some excellent defending by Bridport kept the North Dorset forwards out and a resulting penalty enabled them to clear their lines. With a good line out take the Daggers now started for the first time to put some real pressure on the opponent’s defence and a good passage of play with all the backs handling and passing well finally broke down with a knock on in the 22. The ball was turned over and again the Bridport backs and forwards combined well but could not make that crucial line break. Samways tried a speculative cross kick which Guy Brazier reached but was penalised for obstructing the opposing player. Bridport continued with some excellent defence forcing crucial penalties to be conceded to keep their line secure and go in at half time 7-0 down.

As perhaps was to be expected North Dorset’s set piece dominance soon put Bridport under pressure and they eventually conceded a try when North Dorset had numbers out wide to score.

The Daggers were now playing mainly within their 22 and when Brazier was yellow carded for a deliberate knock on stopping a certain try North Dorset opted for a scrum and drove over for a try.

With the kick off not ten yards Bridport got a turnover from the scrum and quick ball to Jed Gravelle saw him make a superb break over half way down the wing. Sadly, the move broke down and North Dorset responded by kicking long for touch, gaining a line out penalty and from the resulting scrum driving over for their bonus point try. This was quickly followed by a fifth try after which the Daggers mounted a series of attacks into their opponents 22 with some good handling by forwards and backs but again the North Dorset defence stood firm until the final whistle.

Bridport’s next game is away to Swanage & Wareham on Saturday 15^th January.