SWANAGE & Wareham’s Charlie Rowberry made his mark with a hat-trick as Dorset & Wilts thrashed Middlesex 50-5 in their RFU County Shield opener.

Rowberry and fellow scorer Matt Roberts joined Swans team-mates Nick Audley and Charlie Parish as the Twin Counties made light work of their opponents at Trailfinders Sports Ground in Ealing.

Wimborne trio Steve King, Tyler Adams and Rob Best were also involved.

After adapting quickly to the synthetic surface, wing Rowberry darted in to score within two minutes with Roberts quickly doubling the try tally.

Sherborne’s Tom Lane nabbed number three before Salisbury veteran and manof-the-match Liam Gilbert landed the fourth try.

A one-sided contest continued as Salisbury scrum-half Dave Tongue further extended the lead, while Rowberry grabbed his second try.

Three successful conversions from skipper and Royal Wootton Bassett flanker Dave Hogg made it 36-5 at the interval.

Early in the second half, Middlesex rallied but committed defence kept them at bay with Rowberry’s third completing a memorable treble.

Salisbury centre Rob Larcombe crossed at the death to complete a rewarding display and boost morale for Saturday’s pool game against Essex at Trowbridge RFC