FRAZER Wilford never had any doubt Dorset & Wilts would shrug off their half-time deficit and hit back to lift the County Championship Shield.

Bournemouth’s hooker admitted there was no panic in the Twin Counties ranks at half-time after they had contrived to throw away a seven-point lead and almost complete dominance to fall 16-10 behind at the break.

Wilford, who as Dorset & Wilts captain received the trophy from England and British Lions legend Bill Beaumont, said: “We never thought at any stage we would lose out.

“The coaches just said if we carry on playing like we had done in the first 30 minutes we would win and that’s what the boys did in the second period.

“We had to play with the pace and width we always talk about because Leicestershire were very forward orientated and it worked out.

“Winning here feels fantastic. It’s a once in a lifetime experience. It probably won’t come around for me again.

“Our success is the result of a lot of hard work, not just this year but over the past two years. Our coaches have done a great job to get us to this stage.

“Now I’d like the youngsters in Dorset & Wilts rugby to look at us and think ‘I can play and win at Twickenham as well’.

“We want to be recognised as a strong rugby county and this is the first step in that direction.”

Arguably, Twin Counties greatest claim to fame since the team’s formation in 1949 was a 15-14 victory over a mighty Gloucestershire side brimming with Bath players at Salisbury in 1988.

But Dorset & Wilts manager Hamish Morton said: “In achievement terms, I think this is now the most important win in our history.”