DORSET & Wilts are hoping to strike their first victory as they prepare to face Cornwall at Monmouth Avenue in Division One of the Jason Leonard RFU Under-20 County Championship tomorrow (1pm).

The Twin Counties’ youngsters have played two pool matches this season against Hampshire and Gloucestershire losing both games narrowly, but they were runners-up in the junior championship last season and this is their first campaign in the senior division and they are improving with each outing.

Dorset & Wilts’ boss Richard Rees said: “We are very excited to be playing at Weymouth and Portland RFC for the first time in a national championship game. We have had a tough season this year narrowly losing both of our games against tough opposition. After the success of last season we were promoted to Division One of the Jason Leonard National Championship.”

With their successes last season saw them promoted and Rees admits they have had to learn.

He said: “We have learnt many lessons this campaign, mainly needing to be ruthless when with the ball and finishing off the chances that we create. There is still a lot to play for tomorrow for us, we want to show everyone our full potential and put in our best performance, we have had some injuries in key positions which for the players there are still South West positions up for grabs.

“We know that Cornwall are top of the table and playing really well, we will use to motivate ourselves knowing when we play to our potential we can beat anyone.”

Lead coach Ali Lund will be hoping for a top performance to finish the season on a high and he will be looking at senior players like skipper James Hill, vice-captain James Bagguley and centre Harry Bazalgette to lead from the front and put in huge performances.

Rees strongly encourages anyone free to come and support Dorset & Wilts at their first and only home game of the campaign.

Weymouth & Portland RFC are happy to host the match at their Monmouth Avenue ground, and their president Des Quick told Echosport: “It’s not often that we get the chance to host a county game and we are very proud to have the opportunity to do so.

“Cornwall always travel with their core support so I would hope that we can get a big crowd of supporters out to get behind the Dorset & Wilts lads that are the cream of Twin Counties youngsters

and that they get behind the team and cheer them on to their first championship victory this season.”

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