BLANDFORD will play Southern Counties South rugby again next season after sealing the Dorset and Wiltshire Division One South title with a hard-earned 17-7 win at Wimborne 3rds.

Wimborne led 7-0 at the break against the league leaders, but tries from Simon Wingrove, George Hall and Lee Haim and one Kev Robbins conversion clinched a second-half comeback victory for Blandford.

It means they go into their final league game at home to second-placed Weymouth on Saturday (3pm) with no pressure on the outcome.

Weymouth had kept their own title hopes alive with a 36-19 win at Bournemouth 2nds, but once news had filtered through to Chapel Gate that Blandford had won at Leigh Park, the Seasiders had to accept they weren't going to lift the crown.

They will still be aiming for victory at Blandford, though, as defeat for Weymouth will probably gift Bridport second place in the table and a promotion play-off berth.

The introduction of Wingrove at half time proved vital for Blandford against Wimborne 3rds because his strong, direct runs began to test the home side's defence.

It was Wingrove who grabbed Blandford's opening try from a well-worked blindside move with Robbins adding the conversion to tie the score at 7-7.

Number eight Hall got their second try to give them the lead and Haim sprinted in for Blandford's third, although Robbins shockingly missed the conversion.

Earlier, Brendon Lawrence had lead Blandford's defence outstandingly in the first half to restrict Wimborne's lead to only 7-0 at the break.

Blandford captain Adie Collins said: "All credit to Wimborne, they made us scrap all the way.

"Although far from our most convincing display, we've achieved what we set out to do at the start of the season. It was a fitting send-off though for Brendon, who is returning to his native New Zealand soon.

"And I'd like to take this opportunity on behalf of the whole club to wish him and his family well and thank him for the years of effort he's put in."

Blandford coach Preetpal Bachra added: "It wasn't pretty but we had the mental strength to come through against some tough opponents.

"We did what we had to do."