DORSET & Wilts enjoyed an emphatic victory against a team who were predicted to be the Twin Counties' hardest contest in the RFU County Shield pool matches.
The game took place on a 4G surface at Ealing Trailfinders RFC, but the visitors adapted to the playing conditions well and raced into a second-minute lead courtesy of a try from Swanage & Wareham wing Charlie Rowberry.
Rowberry’s clubmate, centre Matt Roberts, was next to touchdown for the visitors followed by Sherborne centre Tom Lane.
Veteran Salisbury lock forward Liam Gilbert who was voted Dorset & Wilts' man of the match led the young forwards in the Twin Counties pack by example and drove across the Middlesex line to ground the ball for the visitors' fourth try.
Salisbury scrum-half Dave Tongue extended the margin with another try for the visitors, then Rowberry grabbed a second touchdown to end the first-half scoring, with skipper and Royal Wootton Bassett flanker Dave Hogg landing three conversions o give the Twin Counties a 36-5 interval lead.
Early in the second half Middlesex rallied, but committed defence ensured that the visitors' line was not compromised and with Rowberry scoring a third to complete his hat trick and Salisbury centre Rob Larcombe crossing at the death.
Dorset & Wilts host Essex at Trowbridge RFC next Saturday.
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