WEYMOUTH & PORTLAND 29

NORTH DORSET 41

WEYMOUTH & Portland slipped to a rare home defeat as North Dorset emerged 41-29 victors at Monmouth Avenue in their Counties One Tribute Southern South contest.

The loss was Weymouth’s first at home in the league for 19 months, since a 58-0 reverse to Blandford in February 2022.

And back in November 2022, Bridport claimed a tight 6-0 win over the Seahorses to inflict their last league defeat, eight games ago.

North Dorset eventually claimed victory over a much-changed Weymouth & Portland, including 17-year-old debutant Eddie Van Deurs Goss, after a second-minute try by James Baker put the hosts ahead.

READ MORE: Avonvale 21-23 Weymouth & Portland - report

The Gillingham-based side retaliated with two tries and a penalty before new fly-half Dwayne Griffiths grabbed his first try for the Seahorses, successfully latching onto his own kick through to score.

North dealt a crucial blow before half-time with their third try but Weymouth & Portland were still in the hunt and used their forwards to powerful effect in the second half.

The Seahorses muscled their way over the line as skipper Billy Hayne dived over the whitewash, along with former captain Dave Oaksford.

Joe Gibson, who earlier helped set up Baker’s try, then added the hosts’ fifth score of the afternoon, Baker converting two on the day.

North Dorset’s right winger responded with two tries in the second half, including one at the death which swelled the scoreline in the visitors’ favour.

Following an entertaining match that yielded a bonus point for five tries, Seahorses’ coach Rich Bament said: “I can’t fault our players.

“We knew it was going to be a big challenge. North Dorset have always been a Southern Counties team. They had a blip and then came straight back up.

“They’re one of the big-hitters in the league. The way we responded, I couldn’t have been more pleased.

“Yes, we lost but they scored in the final minute to make it look like a bigger margin. Up to that point, it was nip and tuck all the way through.”

Weymouth & Portland move on to a demanding game at early leaders Royal Wootton Bassett Seconds on Saturday.

Bament added: “They’ve started the season very well. I did watch them at the end of last season, so I’ve got a rough idea of what they’re going to be about.

“However, it’s another long coach trip and they’ll be fresher because their game against Avonvale was called off.

“We’ll go up there even more confident, we’ve got nothing to fear, and do the best we can.”

Dan Hayne misses out but Will Quick, Luke Beynon and Lewis Allan are in contention to return.