9th February 2012

WEST DORSET RUGBY: Freeze causes fixture dilemma

A FEW weeks ago I took issue with the organisers of the local league fixture programme, querying as to the advisability of having league games on the first four Saturdays of the new year in view of the fact that these were the four most vulnerable weeks weather wise. These weeks came and went.

There was hardly a postponement to be seen, and most clubs were hardly plagued with catch-up games - they must have known more than I.

Then of course, in the week leading up to the first Saturday in February, all things changed.

A hard midweek frost made grounds unplayable and the forecast thaw did not come in time to save any local game.

In fact PUDDLETOWN called off their home game late on Friday.

Most postponements came on Saturday morning, while Bridport seconds invited local opposition, Dorchester seconds to come and inspect.

This they did and it was reluctantly decided that no play would take place.

PREVIEW

Word on the street has it that league fixtures that should have taken place on Saturday last would now be played on Saturday next, a day on which no league games were due to be played.

Their was a snag however - February 11th was a Saturday given over to cup rounds and National Cups take precedence over the league.

WEYMOUTH are most certainly an exception for, having won the Dorset & Wilts Plate Competition, they now go national and take on DRIFTERS from the adjoining region at home.

Their opponents are a side of whom I know little but I see that they lie at the top of the Berks, Bucks & Oxon Premier Division, and will therefore, certainly be no mugs.

I seem to remember Weymouth facing them a few seasons ago , with the game taking place on the local school ground.

I am aware that memory is an unreliable talent, (at least mine tends to be so) but I believe that Weymouth won that one, although they had to come from behind to do so; and that their opponents flattered to deceive on that occasion.

That is in the past however, and really all a club can ask in this situation is that it gets a home draw. Weymouth have just that, and let's hope that they can make it count.

DORCHESTER are at home and face a real tester with the visit of WIMBORNE. Their opponents, although their first side has not shown overmuch in the season thus far, are a capable club, and are running into a bit of form.

BRIDPORT too will have their hands full at SHERBORNE seconds, while PUDDLETOWN take on a side whom they should beat in WHEATSHEAF CABIN CREW, although their opponents showed that they certainly can score tries last time out.

As to the second sides Dorchester seconds will be hoping to cement their place at the top of their division by beating Bridport seconds, and I think that they will do so, while Weymouth seconds should have too much for Wincanton.

Dorchester thirds have a game against New Milton thirds that they should win, and Weymouth thirds travel to Ellingham & Ringwood thirds and certainly have a chance there.

Fixtures - 11th February

Bridport v Sherborne 2nd (away); Bridport 2nd v Dorchester 2nd (home); Chard v No Game; Chard 2nd v Morganians (home); Chard 3rd v Castle Cary 2nd (home);Crewkerne v Minehead Barbarians (away); Dorchester v Wimborne (home); Dorchester 2nd v Bridport 2nd (away); Dorchester 3rd v New Milton (home); Honiton v Withycombe (away); Honiton 2nd v Kingsbridge 2nd (away); Puddletown v Wheatsheaf Cabin Crew (home); Sidmouth v Thornbury (away); Sidmouth 2nd v Crediton 2nd (home); Sidmouth 3rd v Crediton 3rd (home); Weymouth v Drifters (home); Weymouth 2nd v Wincanton (home); Weymouth 3rd v Ellingham & Ringwood 3rd (away).

Bridport Youth Rugby

Bridport U18s 13 Swanage & W’ham 12

Bridport progressed to the second round of the Under 18 cup by the narrowest of margins, having not played anywhere their potential.

Swanage took the lead after Bridport bungled a line-out; the receiver knocking it back into the hands of an opposing forward, and with Bridport’s backs out of position anticipating an attack, Swanage moved the ball quickly to score in the corner. The touchline conversion was missed, which would eventually cost them the game.

Bridport fought back however and eventually the backs were released from a midfield scrum. Moving first to the left before coming back the other side, the ball was moved well through many hands before ending up with Clarence Fung who squeezed in at the corner for what turned out to be the Blues only try. Bob Lester-Card added the conversion from just outside the 5m line.

They increased their lead to five points from the restart kick when Tom White made a tremendous break When he was finally brought down his fellow forwards in support drove over, winning a penalty some 30m out from which Lester-Card's kick just scraped over the bar.

Shortly after the restart, Bridport were themselves penalised at the ruck, and the visitors elected to go for the corner. The kick was, however, acrobatically prevented from going into touch by the Bridport full-back, but bounced straight into the hands of his opposite number who strolled the remaining 5m to score. The conversion was successful to give Swanage a two point lead.

Continual pressure from Bridport after this led to another ruck offence but Lester-Card’s kick hit the post.

Bridport were slowly gaining the upper hand, although their persistent refusal to move the ball to their backs was limiting their chances of scoring. Close in pick and go and driving mauls were, however, taking their toll on the visitors and they were penalised at a ruck just 15m from their line.

They were fortunate that the referee called back scrum-half Halkes-Wellstead’s attempted quick tap, and wiser heads prevailed when the ball was given to Lester-Card who duly put it between the uprights to nudge the Blues into a one point lead.

In the dying moments Swanage had a chance to steal the game when they were awarded a penalty for side entry to a ruck with just enough time for the line-out which they won on the half-way line.

However they chose to kick and it was a simple matter for Bridport to hack the ball to touch and secure a narrow victory.

WEST DORSET RUGBY: Freeze causes fixture dilemma

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