BATH & Wiltshire Romans won the first-ever West of England Challenge Cup final with an emphatic 40-10 victory over Cheltenham Phoenix.

The club were only founded a couple of months ago but triumphed at the home of Dings Crusaders in Bristol thanks to a hat-trick of tries from Paul Riley, to add to touchdowns from Steve Flintoft, Matty James, Huw Parks, Mike Harrison and Joe Knight.

Phoenix second row Sam Coles went in for a try just before half-time, which was duly converted by centre Marcus Raymond, before George Sherborne hinted at a comeback when he went over after the break but it failed to come to fruition.