RUGBY: MUST-WIN MATCH FOR DORSET & WILTS
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- Created on Thursday, 10 May 2012 12:15
- Last Updated on Thursday, 10 May 2012 11:19
- Published on Wednesday, 09 May 2012 12:15
RFU County Championship Shield holders Dorset & Wilts face a must-win clash against Berkshire at Bournemouth RFC on Saturday (Chapel Gate 1400).
Having lost for the first time in two years, 27-14 away to Oxfordshire in their Pool 3 opener, it’s a chance for the defending champions to make amends – and possibly progress to a semi-final meeting against Leicestershire.
The green and whites are boosted by the return of players required by their club sides for vital league play-off games on April 28 and are still in with a chance of winning the pool as Berkshire beat Oxfordshire 23-16 last Saturday.
D&W team manager Don Parsons says: “With the players who were not available for the Oxfordshire match back, we are hoping to pick a first-choice fifteen.
“It will take a tremendous team effort if we are to progress into the latter stages of this competition and make it to our third successive Twickenham final.
“Losing our first pool game against Oxfordshire was a big blow, however last weekend Berkshire beat Oxfordshire so it has left the door open for us.
“Quite simply if we win by a clear 17 points, or win and score four tries we should go through.”
Dorset & Wilts from Luke Esnof (Salisbury) Frazer Wilfred (Bournemouth) Steve Bailey (Corsham) Rhys Jones (Corsham) Chris Hughes (Bournemouth) Liam Gilbert (Chinnor) Tony Dunkerley, Gavin Hart, Sam Hardcastle, Dan Pollard, Robbie Searle, Scott Chislett (all Bournemouth) Charlie Elton (Bradford-on-Avon) Ben Stewart (Bournemouth) Karim Lynch (Bournemouth) John Warren (Dorchester) Ben Saville (Ampthill) Alex Bradley (Bishop Wordsworth GS) Bobby Lyons (Chippenham) Connal Knott (Swindon) Mike Beswick (Chippenham).
Berkshire from: Ben Nowak (Bracknell, capt) Daniel Antonelli (Bracknell) Joe Duffelen (Redingensians) Isaac Kibirige (University of Reading) Will Clarke, Andy Webb, Chris Rumble, Michael Clarke, James Baker, Owen Root, Sam Hallett (all Redingensians) Haloti Molitika (Bracknell) Rudal Aiono (Bracknell) Jack Sawbridge (University of Reading) Pessimino Petelo (Bracknell) Mike Bunn (Bracknell) Nathan Thomas (Redingensians) Sean Kenneally (Reading) Harry Stapleton (Redingensians) Seb Lear (University of Reading) Richard Brember (Bracknell) Ben Yates (Bracknell) Will Grindal (University of Reading).
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