RFU County Shield Final

DORSET & WILTS v SURREY

DORSET & Wilts head coach Simon Culley is backing his men to retain the RFU County Shield tomorrow at Twicken-ham.

The Twin Counties face Surrey in the final and their determined boss is hoping for a quick start.

Culley said: “We plan to open against Surrey with the same 15 players who kicked off against Essex last weekend at Bournemouth.

“The team spirit within the squad is as high as I have ever witnessed before and the experience of winning the competition at Twickenham last season has made the lads even hungrier for success.

“We have a few injury worries but we are keeping our fingers crossed that all of the players will prove their fitness and will be okay to start the game.

“The team showed their mettle against Essex, particularly after Jack Hennings had been red carded, somewhat harshly we think, in the 22nd minute, following an altercation involving numerous players from both teams.

“After having viewed the video evidence we appealed against the dismissal on Jack’s behalf and we are delighted that he is now available to play on Sunday.”

Culley went on to add: “In last year’s final we started very slowly and allowed Leicestershire to boss the game for most of the first half but we came good after the break and ran out worthy victors.

“Tomorrow we must make a better start and take control from the kick-off and I am confident that if we play to our full potential we can do exactly that.”

Dorset & Wilts (from): Tom Dunn, Bobby Lyons, Christian Novik, Tom Baldwin (Chippenham), Frazer Wilford, Alan Manning, Jack Hennings, Sam Hardcastle, Scott Chislett, Simon Lilley (Bournemouth), Liam Gilbert, Sean Barwick, Tom Pottage, Luke Esnouf, David Thorpe, Terry Gilmore, Fraser Clilverd (Cleve), Adam Westall (Swindon), Sean Lilley (Oldfield), Sean Jones (Trowbridge), Jamie Mitchell (Oakmeadians), Lewis Warner (Wimborne).