CATS were tripped at the final hurdle on Saturday as they went in search of their second victory of the Southern Counties South season.

The Melksham men were leading 10-5 with 10 minutes to play when full back Matt Humphries made a dart for the try-line, only to be cynically brought down by the Bridport outside centre.

James Ponsford missed the resulting penalty and from the restart the visitors secured turnover ball and scored in the corner.

The try was converted to leave CATs coach Daniel Jeffries fuming at the final whistle.

Jeffries said: "I was gutted. We were on top for most of the game and to lose in the way we did was very disappointing.

"It was a very clever foul by their outside centre. He knew it would be a tough penalty to kick with the cross-wind and he sacrificed himself.

"That was definitely the turning point because Matt was clean through for a try. I don't think Bridport would have come back after that."

Ponsford kicked CATs into a 3-0 lead with a penalty as the Tyremen piled on the early pressure.

Bridport hit back with an unconverted try against the run of play, but their foray into CATs territory didn't last long.

The hosts continued to probe, but three missed penalties from Ponsford let Bridport off the hook.

CATs finally got the breakthrough their endeavour merited when outside centre Dave Dyke secured possession from a line-out and crashed over the whitewash. Ponsford converted to give his side a 10-5 half-time lead.

That should have been 15-5 after 70 minutes, but Humphries was hacked to the turf and Bridport took full advantage.