Bill Beaumont RFU County Championship. Pool 2, Division 2, at Cheltenham RFC. Gloucestershire 15 – Dorset & Wilts 47
The Twin Counties three times winners of this competition, kicked off their championship campaign with an impressive display against a much-fancied side.
Dorset & Wilts started the much better of the two teams and raced into 19 points to 3 half-time lead. Then after the break, their hosts came back at them. However, the Twin Counties had far too much in the tank and emerged as worthy victors.
Scorers Tries, Mike Clifton, Royal Wootton Bassett: Connor Tomley, Royal Wootton Bassett: Eoin Baker, Chippenham: Tom Stewart, North Dorset: Gus O’Conner, Devizes: Henry Toomer, Salisbury: Sam Baker, Royal Wootton Bassett: Baker 6 conversions.
In the other match in Pool 2 Berkshire lost at home against Devon by 15 points to 17.
Jason Leonard U20s, South West Divisional Final, at North Dorset RFC. Dorset & Wilts 27 – Cornwall 23
It’s not often that Dorset & Wilts return a winning result against the Cornish at any level of rugby, male or female, so beating their visitors at North Dorset rugby club on Sunday, the Twin Counties will now progress into the next stage of the competition.
The Counties rode their luck somewhat and got off to a poor start conceding six penalties on the bounce, of which Cornwall converted three to make the score nine points nil to the visitors with only 17 minutes on the watch.
When 27 minutes had elapsed, Dorset and Wilts ran from deep, resulting in a try from Bournemouth’s center Fin Rayworth with Connor Moore also of Bournemouth landing the conversion.
Five minutes later, Bournemouth wing forward Stan Vincent was next to cross the try line for the Counties, with Moore again converting.
Cornwall struck back and pegged Dorset & Wilts inside their own territory. Desperate defence led to the first of three yellow cards that the referee issued to the Counties and now a forward up, the Cornish drove over the try line to touch down for their first try of the afternoon that was duly converted to make the score at the break Dorset and Wilts 14 points Cornwall 16.
Five minutes after the turn around, the Twin Counties re-took the lead courtesy of James Peck of AECC rugby club with a try beneath the visitors’ posts and Jamie Foskett of Wimborne converting.
Despite having a second player yellow carded, Dorset and Wilts began to exert some control, leading to Foskett kicking two penalty goals in quick succession.
Dorset and Wilts had only been back to full strength for a couple of minutes before they were down to 14 again, following a third yellow.
Going into injury time and a man to the good, Cornwall scored their second try that was quickly converted, but it came too late for the visitors and the referee blew to end the game.
This was an excellent result for the Dorset and Wilts Under 20 squad, but if they are to progress further in the competition, they must improve their discipline, three yellow cards are too many, secure more of their own line-out ball and cut the penalty count, if they can do that they have enough quality in the squad to go all the way.
Trys; F Raworth, S Vincent, J Peck, Penalties J Foskett 2, Conversions Moore 2 J Foskett 1.
On Friday evening Dorchester Football Club’s Under 23 team played their Hamble counterparts in the U23 Challenge Cup Final, the junior Magpies who are chasing a notable treble, are also involved in a second cup final and still are in with a good chance of lifting the league title.
Two goals, one each from Jamie Hosking and Kriss Radivojsa with only one in reply from Hamble were enough to see the Magpies safely home and lift the trophy.
There was another game on Friday evening at the Bob Lucas Stadium Weymouth where Terras stalwart Ashley Wells celebrated his 10-year tenure with Weymouth in a testimonial game against a Dorchester Select side.
Final score Wells’ X1 6 – Dorchester Legends 5, gate of 405.
