Match Report: Swanage & Wareham II

After a strong performance last week against North Dorset the Daggers were in a confident mood for the away game against Swanage and Wareham and with a solid moral boosting performance came away with a 29-20 bonus point victory.

A dry day together with a strong side in all departments played to Bridport’s strengths and from the kick off the Daggers came firing out of the blocks. Within five minutes Swans knocked on giving the Bridport the scrum – which they won – and Charlie Samways spun the ball out to the backs. A powerful run by Nathan Herbert allowed him to score the first of Bridport’s four tries which was converted by a Mitch Waters. For the next ten minutes Swans were pinned down within their 22 metre line, but no score resulted.

The game then turned in favour of the hosts. A series of driving mauls by Swans were eventually, illegally, pulled down by Bridport resulting in a penalty which they chose to put well into touch towards the corner flag. Swans number five was their guaranteed line-out jumper and secured their ball, a strong maul resulted in Swans first try which was unconverted.

The following ten minutes produced rather scrappy rugby – a number of scrums, mauls and line-outs. From one such line-out, a speedy Swans prop forward made a clear break for the Bridport line which was touched down but not converted. With only a few minutes left until half time Samways gathered up a loose ball and fed it out to the backs. However, there was a knock on and the scrum won by Swans was kicked into the corner. Line-out won, again by Swans number five, the pack drove to Bridport’s line but the ball was knocked forward.

Half time Swans 10, Bridport 7.

An encouraging team talk at half time greatly improved Bridport’s overall performance for the second half. But not before another unconverted try by Swans, following a drive by their forwards against the general run of play. This goaded Bridport into action, and from the kick off they gathered the ball, spun it along the backs and Sam Petchey made a lightning break only to be bundled into touch just short of the Swans line. Bridport won this line out and Jordan Neil scored in the corner Waters missing the conversion.

The following fifteen minutes did not produce any attractive rugby from either side until at a Bridport line out a tapped ball to Samways was fed to Daragh McLoughlin who made one of his storming runs to score another converted try to edge the Blues in front 19-15.

Bridport hoped that they had then put the game to bed, when after a quick tap penalty, Samways moved the ball quickly to Waters who fed a key pass to Harrison Crane to score in the corner; well converted by Waters.

The last ten minutes were tight with Swans scoring a try and Waters sealing the game with a last minute penalty.

The players Man of the Match was Charlie Samways for his tenacious tackling and excellent and well timed passes.

Bridport’s next game is at home on Saturday 22nd January against Bournemouth. Kick off is set for 14:00.