HEAD coach Ali Lund praised the contribution of Bournemouth Rugby locks Sam Bailey and James Fisher after Dorset & Wilts snatched a 24-24 draw at Somerset.

A last-gasp score by Salisbury's James Bagguley – converted by Royal Wootton Bassett's Connor Tomley – ensured the Twin Counties dramatically avoided defeat in their National Under-20 Shield opener.

Bailey and Fisher were among a number of Bournemouth players to feature, with Matt Goddard, Carlos Snell and replacement Loui Giunta – who came off with concussion – also playing their part in Weston-super-Mare.

Hamish Renwick, who has represented Bournemouth and is currently at Hartpury College, captained the side and Wimborne's Max Clark and Harry Bazalgette featured at left-wing and inside-centre, respectively.

Reflecting on the displays of Bailey and Fisher, boss Lund said: "Sam was outstanding. He carried the ball, made lots of yards and tackled anything that moved. He is playing fantastically well.

"James had an outstanding game in the line-out and in the loose. We were very pleased with how our line-out went with James and Sam running things and Matt throwing in very well. That gave us a good platform.

"Hamish is an outstanding leader and he showed us the intensity we need from all our players. He's physical, wins the collisions, makes his tackles and puts the opposition under a lot of pressure."

Dorset & Wilts trailed 12-10 at the break with their first-half try scored by Bagguley and converted by Hopkins, who had earlier slotted home a penalty.

From a drive following a line-out early in the second period, Salisbury's James Hill got the ball down for a converted score.

And just when it looked as if the away side were heading for defeat, Bagguley, who had by now moved to fly-half from full-back, crossed the whitewash in the dying seconds.

Tomley held his nerve to add the conversion and ensure both teams had to settle for a draw.

Lund added: "The boys showed brilliant endeavour to come back into it. We were in a hole and they showed great resilience to get the try on the last play of the game.

"However, we didn't have the intensity which we need to play at that level. We would have liked to have beaten Somerset.

"But full credit to them, they played well. They had a lively backline and a big pack who pushed us around a bit."

The Twin Counties' second and final pool game is against Devon on Sunday, February 26 at Chapel Gate, with the top two in the three-team pool advancing.

Lund hopes to have Wimborne's Sam Vivian available after he missed the Somerset game due to an acting audition in San Francisco.

Dorset & Wilts: Wilson (Sherborne), Goddard (Bournemouth), Griffiths (Salisbury), Fisher (Bournemouth), Bailey (Bournemouth), Hill (Salisbury), Renwick (Hartpury College), Naiova (Swindon), Wall (Devizes), Tomley (Royal Wootton Bassett), Clark (Wimborne), Bazalgette (Wimborne), Hopkins (Sherborne), Snell (Bournemouth), Bagguley (Salisbury). Replacements: Spencer (North Dorset), Giunta (Bournemouth), Pettit (Royal Wootton Bassett), Mawdsley (North Dorset), Clancy (Marlborough), Gurney (Salisbury), Lewendon (Weymouth).