Match Report: Salisbury II

The Blues narrowly lost a tight game against fellow relegation rivals Salisbury II 22-24 but gained 2 bonus points and with other results going there way they remain out of the bottom two. Their injury curse continues with both Hugh Vivian and Ross Duncan leaving the field with what could mean a long term absence.

From the kick off Salisbury started brightly with some strong runs but the Bridport defence held firm and they were able to profit from an early penalty with Mitch Waters setting up Andrew Livingston for a score only to be called back for a forward pass. Waters kick set them up for a line out on the 5m line only for Salisbury to turn it over. Somehow the Daggers regained the ball and Hugh Vivian scored, Waters converting.

Sadly for Bridport, Salisbury attacked from a midfield scrum and poor defence allowed them to run in a converted try. Salisbury came again from the kick off and Bridport had Toby James yellow carded but they were unable to capitalise as Waters found an excellent touch from a penalty and despite a badly functioning line out the Daggers forced a scrum with Nathan Herbert breaking on the blind side and giving a neat offload to Richard Middleton to score. From the kick off a great run by Rich Layzell took Bridport into their opponents 22 and after conceding penalty the Daggers regained control through the forwards and Paul Mullany drove over from a 5m scrum.

With the half coming to an end Bridport were unable to control their lead when an attempt to keep the ball in play from a Salisbury penalty fell kindly for the opponents to catch and score in the corner.

The second half was very disjointed with injuries effecting the shape of the Blues team and Salisbury playing with increasing confidence and pressing the Bridport line and eventually their backs outpacing the Daggers defence to equalise the scores. With both sides conceding penalties the game lost structure but it was Bridport who benefited when from a quickly taken penalty by Waters, Mullany was able to offload for Nathan Herbert to score his fourth try of the season.

Salisbury came again and despite desperate defence from Bridport their backs were able to break the Daggers defence for a converted try to take the lead. Bridport desperately sought the winning score and with their goal kicker Waters of the field declined a longish penalty kick in favour of a pick and go which they were unable to turn into points.

The team as a whole were disappointed not to have got the win and will now regroup to face East Dorset Dockers in their next home game on the 6^th November.