A "sterling performance" from Dorset and Wilts was not enough to clinch two final victories in succession as Cumbria claimed a 23-13 win in the Bill Beaumont County Championship Division Three final at Twickenham.

Trailing from early in the first half, the Twin Counties, who won the shield last year, rallied with tries from Ross Williams and Laisiasa Vinakadina, but eventually lost out 23-13.

Cumbria took the initiative from the kick-off and the Twin Counties defence buckled with the opening try arriving on 10 minutes.

A successful penalty extended the lead to 10-0 before wing Williams burst past the Cumbria defence to halve the deficit in the corner.

But two further penalty kicks saw Dan Draper's side 16-5 behind at half-time.

The first score after the restart came courtesy of Fijian Vinakadina, who drove over the line to ground the ball and bring Dorset and Wilts back within reach.

The comeback looked even more likely soon after when fly-half Sam Baker kicked over to reduce the arrears to 16-13 with plenty of time to play.

But Cumbria ran down the clock well before forcing over for a second try of the afternoon, which was converted from out wide with only three minutes left to play.

Dorset and Wilts assistant coach Richard Elliott said: “It was a sterling performance from the lads who on the day just came up short.

"We had a 20-minute purple patch in the second half when we honestly thought that we could get our heads in front and win the game, but it wasn’t to be.

"If we can keep this squad of players together then who knows what we can achieve."

Twin Counties' RFU representative Ron Jones added: "All credit to Cumbria, they were the better team on the day.

"But take nothing away from our lads, they gave their all for Dorset and Wilts and if we had managed to hang on to the ball more often when we had possession then who knows.

"We definitely had an advantage out wide where both our wingers scored tries, but we just didn’t get the ball to them often enough.

"However we have a great bunch of lads and I am sure they will come good again. They have played at Twickenham which is the pinnacle of rugby for everyone who picks up a rugby ball."