PEWSEY Vale lifted the Southern Counties Junior Vase and moved two wins away from a possible appearance at Twickenham as their unbeaten season continued at Didcot.

The villagers now host Widden Old Boys, from Gloucester One, in the South West Division final on February 27, with the winners moving on to a clash against the London & South East divisional winners.

The victors of that second encounter will book a place in the final at the home of English rugby against the winners from the North and Midlands sections.

Played in strong blustery winds on a soggy pitch a free running game was an impossibility and Dorset & Wilts Two North leaders Pewsey had to adapt their game in order to contain a bullish Didcot side, who are second in the Berks, Bucks & Oxon Championship.

The strong crosswind affected many aspects of the game, not least the number of forward passes called, that halted a significant number of moves during the game.

Pewsey opened the scoring on 10 minutes with a well-won scrum ball driven forward by number eight Phil Vallis, quickly recycled by scrum-half Nick Damper to fly-half James Haynes.

A switch and return with centre Chris Takel saw Haynes pop the ball up for centre Ty Lewis, whose angled run from 20 metres out was unstoppable as he ploughed over for the five points, Haynes adding the two points.

Though competitive up front with a competent kicking fly-half, the Didcot attack spluttered along with little discernible shape.

Pewsey continued to plug away driving deep into Didcot’s half, held up over the line twice the next score came five minutes before half time.

From a five metre scrum Vallis picked and went, feinting left then back inside to his support in the form of flanker Chris Spence. Ballast came from the remainder of the pack, Spence claiming the five points when the pile of bodies unwound.

From the restart Didcot came forward and earned a penalty to reduce their arrears before half time.

The weather closed in and the second half was more attritional, a well-used boot relieving any home team pressure and taking play in the right area of the pitch for Pewsey to protect the lead.

Five minutes from time a Haynes penalty sealed the deal.

Pewsey coach Mick Haynes said: "Real team cohesion shone through. The frustration at not been able to play a free running game concentrated into a team effort that cannot be faulted.

"Great field position was held throughout, solid defence, communication and great skills by all augers well – but the real work for the next round starts now.''