Match Report: Weymouth & Portland

In a game that lacked sparkle, second placed Weymouth were too strong for Bridport in all facets of the game, dominating the set pieces and controlling possession. With the limited ball they had the Daggers were not able to make any inroads against a solid defence losing 35-6.

On a wet grey day Weymouth kicked and – as so often been the case this season – Bridport were soon on the back foot, the Weymouth forwards driving into the 22 and getting the ball out wide for the first score which was well converted from the touchline. 

The Daggers responded when Weymouth were penalised from the kick off with Mitch Waters on target to take the 3 points. Waters had a second chance to reduce the deficit when he made an excellent break from the kick off into the 22, Weymouth were again penalised, but his attempt just drifted wide. Weymouth now began to show their ball retention as Bridport struggled to gain any possession, but after Alex Munro was bundled into touch from a clever cross kick the Daggers won a line out penalty and this time Waters was on target to take the 3 points.

Weymouth then dominated the next period of the game keeping play in the Bridport 22 and taking two penalties to extend their lead to 13-6. Bridport could only get scraps of possession and were playing mainly in the middle of the pitch with only the occasional line break quickly turned over. Weymouth stole a Daggers line out and after a half break was well supported by their backs they scored in the corner to lead 18-6.  The Daggers had a brief spell in their opponents 22 just before half time when they opted to run two successive penalties but were kept out by a strong Weymouth defence.

The second half was much the same as the first with Weymouth dominating possession and keeping the scoreboard ticking over scoring two tries in the first 20 minutes as Bridport struggled to set up any consistent phases of play and break the Weymouth defence. In the final quarter they managed to have their best period of the game with good possession forcing Weymouth into constant infringing to keep their line intact resulting in two yellow cards and a short period of uncontested scrums. Sadly, for the Daggers they were not able to take advantage as a couple of unforced errors from quickly taken penalties let Weymouth off the hook. With Weymouth back to full strength they were able to add a final try when they gathered a loose ball and ran clear to score.

Captain Andrew Livingston said:

“Weymouth and Portland is a local derby for us and for the first half we showed the dogged determination needed for the game. Unfortunately, in the second half we let our standards slip and the game got away from us.”

“We’ve had to do a lot of learning during the first half of this season, but I am hopeful we can take this forward to be more competitive in 2022.”