Weymouth & Portland 36-26 Dorchester: Seahorses seal double

DORCHESTER 26

WEYMOUTH & Portland completed the Ridgeway Rumble double over enemies Dorchester for the first time in more than a decade, courtesy of a 36-26 win at Monmouth Avenue.

The Seahorses remain in 10th, three places behind Dorchester, but the manner of this victory hints at big progress being made in a season following promotion.

Following an impeccable minute’s silence in honour of ex-Weymouth & Portland star Victor Frampton, who recently passed away, Rich Bament’s troops delivered a blistering first quarter and were 19-0 up in front of a large home crowd.

Both sets of players observe a minute's silence for ex-Weymouth player Victor Frampton (Image: IDRIS MARTIN)

Former Dorchester forward James Newsam broke through the middle and offloaded to Finn Pitman who charged over for the game’s opening try.

READ MORE: Dorchester 13-15 Weymouth & Portland - report

Ryan Lewendon then crossed for a try and Pitman added a second as Weymouth & Portland’s gameplan worked a treat, both scores converted by ex-Dorchester hero James Baker.

Finn Pitman, left, scores his second try of the game (Image: IDRIS MARTIN)

After regrouping, Dorchester began to work themselves into the game and a series of penalties led to a yellow card for the hosts.

Dorchester took advantage when Alex Peel found a huge gap in the home defence and strolled in under the posts, with Cohen Emery’s conversion the last kick of the half for a 19-7 deficit.

Arun Rennles, no. 11, flew over in the corner for the hosts' fourth try (Image: IDRIS MARTIN)

Dorchester continued their fightback at the start of the second half, Callum King adding a second try, again converted by Emery, to move to 19-14.

Weymouth then scored their bonus-point try, Arun Rennles flying over in the right corner, but a second score from King, converted by Emery, closed the gap to just three points.

Callum King, left, scored two tries for Dorchester (Image: IDRIS MARTIN)

Weymouth however were not to be denied and two tries, one of which was converted, put the game beyond the visitors.

Their fifth score came from a rolling maul as the home pack went full steam at Dorchester’s forwards, driving them back 22 metres and enabling Jordan Gray to touch down.

Reece Makin then channelled his inner Chris Ashton, flying over to add the Seahorses’ sixth near the posts, converted by Baker, to chalk up a 36-21 lead.

However, there was just time for replacement winger Flynn Drummond, one of Dorchester’s promising younger generation, to skip down the right touchline and earn Dorchester a bonus-point try.

Their late effort was not enough to sway the result as Weymouth & Portland backed up their 15-13 win at Surcouf Park earlier in the season.

Bament told Echosport: “I’d almost say, the first half hour was probably the best we’ve played for two years.

“We were 19-0 up after 20 minutes but we had a lax 10 minutes in the first half which gave them a chance to get back into it and a slow start in the second half.

“But, we took our chances and kept going for the full 80. So, I was very pleased, especially with home and away wins.

“Yes, it’s a local derby and yes, it’s bragging rights for the next year. Dorchester will feel a bit wounded by it, but they will be the first to admit they were beaten by a better team on the day.

“We dominated for about 90 per cent of the game.”

Dorchester now have a weekend off to work on their game plan and polish up the areas where they lacked some coordination ready for their trip to fourth-placed Frome.

With the county town side still sitting seventh in the table to Weymouth & Portland’s 10th, both sides appear to be safe.

Weymouth have the easier run-in to the end of the league campaign, whilst Dorchester must lock horns with the top four sides in the table, two of which are on the road.

Dorchester A, complete with several Colts stepping up to senior rugby again, ran Counties Three Tribute Dorset & Wilts South leaders Swanage & Wareham Seconds very close at Surcouf Park with a strong performance from a young squad.

Although losing 24-14, the side took many positives from the game including Jasper Sennett making his senior debut. Player of the match was Owen Honeybun, one of the Colts squad, scoring two tries and making a number of try-stopping tackles.

Weymouth & Portland, meanwhile, turn their attentions to an away day at Combe Down on Saturday.