DORSET and Wiltshire under-18 boys were deprived of a win against Cornwall under-18 boys at Hartpury College on Sunday.

The Dorset and Wiltshire boys missed out with 15 points to Cornwall’s 20 in a match which saw them lose four tries to three.

A spokesman for the team, Kevin Dobie, described the match as one with lots of positives to take away.

He said: “We played the better rugby at times.

“The boys had a really good game. The first half we dominated and were ahead two tries to one. The second half, they came back into it... really good game.”

The under-18s play their next game on the 15th December, against Gloucestershire at Hartpury College.

This comes amid a season where Dorset and Wiltshire are preparing for the Jason Leonard under-20s County Championships, with Mark Adams reprising his role in the management team for a third season as team manager.

(Image: Dorset and Wiltshire RFU) A variety of under-20s sides from across England will be competing in the competition, which comprises of regional leagues and knockout stages, before concluding in a final at The Allianz Stadium in Twickenham.

The competition begins in March, with the final taking place in June – but Adams stresses it is now where a lot is happening with trials and training.

Last season saw Dorset and Wiltshire becoming finalists in the competition, but they lost due to a penalty with the clock in the red past 80 minutes.

Adams described this as: “Heartbreaking for all involved, but memories that will be treasured forever.”

(Image: Dorset and Wiltshire RFU) The squad will be looking to go a step further and become champions in this coming 2024/25 season, with training sessions focusing on the start of the competition in the spring.

Home games are likely to be played in North Dorset, with the action beginning with Dorset and Wiltshire hosting Berkshire at the end of April 2025.