DORSET & WILTS 37

DURHAM 15

DORSET & Wilts lifted the Bill Beaumont Championship Division Two title for the first time with a 37-15 success over Durham on the 3G pitch at Ealing.

Three times past winners of Division Three, the Twin Counties went one better with a stunning second-half display of rugby. 

Durham took the lead in the eighth minute with a try but four minutes later, and on their first sortie into the Durham half, Chippenham’s Alafoi Fa’osiliva powered his way over the line for a try converted by Sam Baker. 

With 19 minutes on the clock, Chippenham centre Eoin Baker was put clear to touch the ball down for the Counties’ second try with Sam Baker again adding the extras.

READ MORE: Dorset & Wilts 47-24 East Midlands - report

On the half hour, Durham crossed for their second try of the afternoon and when seven more minutes of the game had elapsed, they touched down for their third to put them into a 15-14 lead.

However, on the stroke of half-time Bournemouth lock forward Joe Desmond broke clear of the pack to establish a 21-15 half-time lead with a converted try. 

After the turnaround it was mostly one-way traffic with Durham struggling to clear their own lines, both teams wilting under the heat. 

It was time to bring on the replacements, but it made little change to the intensity of the Dorset and Wilts game resulting in tries for Salisbury wingers Ed Crossley and Henry Toomer with Sam Baker adding two penalties to complete the scoring.

After the game, Dorset & Wilts captain Gavin Oulgan was presented with the winner’s silver salver by RFU President Nigel Gillingham in front of their travelling supporters.

Under RFU rules, Dorset & Wilts can earn promotion to Division One next season if they are one of the two highest-scoring Division Two sides, based on results for 2023 and 2024.