Bill Beaumont RFU County Championship result – Dorset & Wilts 66 pts v Devon Nil at Royal Wootton Bassett RFC.
Without a doubt, this was a comprehensive victory for the Twin Counties. They took control of the proceedings from the kick-off and were 24 points to nil up inside the first 15 minutes of the game. In total, they ran in 10 tries with no reply from their visitors, and all be it for a 10-minute spell towards the end of the first half when Devon managed to keep possession of the ball.
Whenever Devon threatened the Twin Counties line committed defence kept them out, and the threat was cleared.
Leading 33 points to nil at the break, the best was yet to come. Two minutes into the second half, young Royal Wootton Bassett left wing Mike Clifton received the ball on halfway, showing his chasers a clean pair of heels then, wrong-footing two more defenders, he cut back inside, he raced clear and touched the ball down with a swallow dive that Chris Ashton would have been proud to perform and leave his home club supporters in raptures.
Beating Gloucestershire last week and Devon on Saturday is the best start that the Dorset and Wilts squad have ever had in this competition.
But pride comes before a fall, and it’s Berkshire next Saturday, so if the Twin Counties are to progress any further in the competition they have won three times before, they must remain focused for the next seven days.
Try Scorers – Mike Pope, Bournemouth (2) • Joe Atkins, North Dorset • Scott Parry, Royal Wootton Bassett • Eoin Baker, Chippenham • Mike Clifton, Royal Wootton Bassett • Harry Murphy, Chippenham • Phil Bardwell, Royal Wootton Bassett • Henry Toomer, Salisbury • Gavin Ougan, Royal Wootton Bassett.
Conversions Sam Baker Royal Wootton Bassett (8).
Result – Jill Burns’ RFU Women’s County Championship. Dorset & Wilts Women 15 pts v Devon Women 63.
