DORSET & Wilts lifted the Bill Beaumont County Championship Division Three title.

The Twin Counties sealed a 24-22 victory over Essex at Richmond to seal the crown.

Essex started the better of the two sides but in the eighth minute, North Dorset fly-half Sam Baker opened the scoring with a penalty to put the Twin Counties 3-0 up.

After opposing hooker Marcus Bloomberg crashed over, Dorset & Wilts winger Ollie Wilson showed his defenders a clean pair of heels to score and Baker slotted the conversion.

Essex held the advantage going into the second half after a touchdown from winger Chay Pollinger was converted by Jake Burrand to make the score 12-10.

In the 48th minute, Burrand landed a penalty to widen the margin.

But Baker burst free to ground the ball between the Essex posts and stroked over the resulting conversion to put the Twin Counties back in front at 17-15.

Dorset & Wilts managed to put further pressure on the Essex defence, which buckled to allow Kyle Lovell to pick up and drive over.

But back came Essex and flanker Charlie Russo crossed the whitewash to score while Shai Bonnick was in the sin bin.

Pollinger converted but Dorset & Wilts held firm to seal a memorable triumph.

They were transported to Twickenham where former national team captain Beaumont presented them with the trophy during the half-time break of England’s clash with the Barbarians.