Under clearing skies Bridport finally got to play some competitive rugby at the Brewery Ground as they started their 3rd Annual Tens Tournament.
Eight local teams had entered and Bridport kicked off in Pool A on the main pitch against local rivals Puddletown playing ten minutes each way. In a scrappy first half they were not able to keep ball in hand and wasted 2 golden chances of a score. Puddletown on the other hand maximised their chances with two tries, changing round 12-0 ahead. A much stronger performance in the second half by Bridport saw Andrew Livingston get a converted try early but they were unable to breakdown the Puddletown defence.
Next up was Crewkerne and a much stronger all-round performance with an excellent try, breaking from just inside the Crewkerne half by captain Andrew Livingston followed by Daragh McCoughlin driving over from close range gave them a 12-0 victory.
Their final pool match was against the unbeaten Barbarians side, containing a number of ex-Bridport players. They proved too strong for Bridport running in 5 tries to make the final. In Pool B the two strongest sides Yeovil and first time winners of the tournament Blandford met in an exciting final game with Yeovil edging it 15-10 to reach the final against the Barbarians.
With a large local crowd supporting the Barbarians Yeovil took an early lead which was soon matched as the Barbarians scored under the posts and the sides changed round after 10 minutes at 7-7. In the second ten a well drilled Yeovil side were too strong for the scratch Barbarians scoring two tries to come out 19-7 winners.
Bridport Chairman presented the trophy to the Yeovil captain saying what a great pleasure it was to be able to run the tournament, thanking all the teams and the large number of supporters who turned out and looked forward to Yeovil defending their trophy in 2022.
The occasion ended with a very successful raffle and Rory Greening auctioning several excellent prizes which enabled him to raise almost £2000 for Weldmar Hospice.
