IT WAS always going to be a big ask for Dorchester Under-16s to beat Chippenham in the Dorset & Wilts Cup final.

Chippenham had held the trophy for two years and duly made it three with a 41-12 victory.

However, as so often in sport, the scoreline does not tell the whole story.

The county town side came back from a seemingly unassailable 24-0 down at half-time to score two quick tries in the opening minutes of the second half, through Sam Critchel and Jonny Reed.

At 24-12, the match seemed suddenly far more open and Dorchester tails were up.

However it was not to be – Chippenham rallied and scored three more tries, one or two of which wouldn’t have looked out of place in a senior game.

A county town spokesman said: “We played with a passion and pride of which they can be very proud.

“They never let their heads drop, they continually asked questions of a talented and well-drilled opposition and they never allowed Chippenham an easy ride.

“This has been a great season. We have won 75 per cent of our matches, lost only twice at home all season and can rightly be crowned champions of Dorset having beaten Bournemouth (twice) plus Sherborne and Wimborne in the cup.

“We have also beaten teams from Salisbury, Yeovil and Bayeux in France.”