WIMBORNE under-16s were denied Dorset & Wilts Cup glory in the most agonising fashion after drawing an epic final with Chippenham.

The Dorset team were clinging to a three-point advantage as a combative contest entered its closing stages only to lose Noah Clark to a neck injury which he sustained as his team attempted to prevent a Chippenham try.

While Clark was led off for treatment – and ultimately into an ambulance – Wimborne's opponents chose to restart the match with a kick at goal.

And when the ball sailed between the posts to level the scores it was enough for Chippenham to take home the trophy, by virtue of the fact they had scored the game's opening points.

Indeed, the Wiltshire side had crossed inside 90 seconds. Wimborne were penalised for offside almost immediately after the first whistle, enabling their opponents to get on the front foot and set up a series of rucks.

The passage of play ended with Chippenham darting over for the game's opening score. A strong wind sweeping through the showpiece's North Dorset RFC venue made kicking a devilish task and the conversion effort was sent well wide of the mark.

Wimborne quickly recovered from the early setback, emerging from their shells to exert a measure of dominance over Chippenham.

Twice, though, the Leigh Park side worked themselves into promising positions, only to be let down by the final pass.

Leo Marenghi was then stopped just short of the line before Ethan Bell's explosive burst set Robert Thorne clear. Thorne was set to touch down when a wonderful last-ditch piece of defending knocked the ball from his hands.

Finally, though, the pressure told and Bell powered through the resilient Chippenham rearguard to cross in the corner and draw his side level on the stroke of half-time.

Once more, the conversion went astray. And with the wind gusting in their faces after the break it was Wimborne's turn to withstand an onslaught.

A mix of strong defence and Chippenham's inability to complete their longer passes enabled head coach Russ Tinsdale's young charges to hold out.

And Wimborne were rewarded for their application when they won a penalty at the breakdown in front of the posts with 15 minutes remaining.

Jake Allder coolly converted to set up a grandstand finish, with Tinsdale's team subsequently pinned in their own half protecting their slender advantage.

Time was up, with the referee allowing a penalty advantage for offside, when Clark suffered his injury.

Chippenham then added insult to injury by stealing away the cup with the last kick of a pulsating encounter.

Coach Chris Allder said: "The boys have shown themselves to be a formidable group and grown in confidence with every game. They will move into senior rugby with the colts next season and look to continue their development."

Wimborne squad: Goddard, Clark, Bray, Holden, Wilkes, Robinson, Booth, Ludick, Allder, Tinsdale, Blackham-Byrne, Marenghi, Clark, Thorne, Bell, Miller, Kendall, Hughes, Perkins, Sharp, Allam, Harries.