DORSET & WILTS 47

EAST MIDLANDS 24

DORSET & Wilts progressed to the Bill Beaumont Championship Division Two final against Durham with a comprehensive 47-24 win over East Midlands at Dorchester.

The twin counties were delayed in unusual circumstances as East Midlands were caught up in Bank Holiday traffic, despite leaving at 7am for a 3pm kick-off.

Play did not start until 3.45pm but East Midlands made a quick start only to fail to score, allowing Dorset to notch the first try through Gus O’Connor in their only attack of note.

The visitors responded as Tom Lewis touched down with Tom Halfhide adding the extras for 7-7.

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O’Connor crossed again, Baker converting for 14-7 and Josh McCafferty was next to score a converted try for Dorset & Wilts.

However, East Midlands rallied before the break as Halfhide kicked a penalty then Logan McCabe crossed the whitewash with Halfhide converting to make it 21-17. 

Poor discipline saw Dorset & Wilts go down to 13 players with two sin-bins and East Midlands capitalised as Lewis grabbed a converted try to retake the lead.

With both sides tiring in warm conditions, Dorset & Wilts managed their energy levels the better and took control by running in four more tries without reply.

Alafoti Fa’osiliva, Ed Crossley, Michael Pope and Henry Toomer all crossed with Baker converting three times to bring proceedings to a close. 

Dorset & Wilts now face Durham in the final at Ealing tomorrow (3pm) after their opponents defeated North Midlands 22-17.