DORSET & Wilts will have to wait another year if they are to run out at Twickenham for a third time after suffering a 49-15 defeat against Leicester in the RFU County Shield.

A mere glance at the teamsheet made obvious the enormity of the task facing the Twin Counties as they were missing five from the squad that overcame Hampshire last weekend due to work commitments and a wedding.

The visitors were up against a side made up from the nucleus of players from two Level Five clubs, whereas the Dorset and Wilts selectors had to field a team of players who compete in clubs at least one or two divisions below.

However, they did take a 10-8 lead into the second quarter, courtesy of an interception by Swanage & Wareham fly-half Charlie Parish, who put North Dorset centre Harry Salisbury clear to run in and touch down for a try, with skipper Dave Hogg adding the conversion to an earlier penalty.

When Twin Counties hooker Luke Esnouf, from Salisbury, was yellow carded the home team took full advantage to run in a couple of tries to take a 30-10 lead into the break.

After the turnaround the Leicestershire pack began to boss the game despite the best efforts of the Twin Counties forwards, who were overpowered by the size of their opponents.

Despite this, the visitors did manage to cross the home line once more when Sherborne full-back Tom Lane burst clear to score an unconverted try.