TWO late Dave Hogg penalties saw Dorset and Wilts maintain their 100 per cent record in the RFU County Shield with victory over Essex.
The Royal Wootton Bassett man struck in the 79th minute and then added time to hand the Twin Counties a 24-20 win at Trowbridge Rugby Club.
Dorset and Wilts forged in front inside two minutes through a Hogg penalty but it was not long before Essex centre Fabio Olunfowora levelled the scores.
The hosts grabbed their first try when Salisbury centre Tom Scott weaved away from the covering defence to ground the ball. Hogg landed the extras.
In reply, Essex flanker Lewis Gilbert crossed for a try and on the stroke of half-time, Tom Simpson touched down to give the visitors a 15-10 lead.
After the restart, Dorset and Wilts were soon on the attack and Hogg kicked a penalty to narrow to two points the advantage.
Some 14 minutes into the second half, replacement centre Harry Salisbury sprinted clear and crossed over.
Again the pendulum swung when Tom McCaffery crossed the whitewash and put Essex 20-18 in front.
But Hogg’s two penalties snatched victory at the death for the home side.
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