Dorset & Wilts under-20s failed to bounce back from their narrow defeat against Royal Navy under-23s as they lost 32-14 to Royal Air Force under-23s.

The game started well for the twin counties as they dominated possession of the ball and tried to stretch the RAF defence.

However, from all the pressure asserted it was the visitors that hit first. Centre Alex Peel looked to kick the ball clear, but the RAF defence read it well and managed to charge down the kick and collect to score against the run of the play. The extras were added.

RAF scored again shortly after when the forwards rumbled over. The extras were once again added.

Fly half Oli Johnson had the opportunity to hit straight, when Alex Robinson forced a penalty with RAF holding on. Although the difficult kick was missed.

The visitors led 14-0 after 20 minutes and with their tails up, added a third try within 30 minutes. The RAF scrum half spotted a gap in the defence and dummied the pass before accelerating through and scoring under the posts. The extras were again added.

After a lovely break from winger Jed Gravell, Dorset & Wilts found themselves in the RAF 22. The attack was fast and with intent and the visitors began to miss tackles, resulting in penalties. Eventually a high tackle that stopped full back Matt Strong from scoring was deemed a penalty try. That made the score 21-7 at half-time.

At the start of the second half, Dorset & Wilts hit the RAF defence with pace and power. Eventually the pressure paid off and the home side scored another converted try.

The RAF managed to score two more tries form errors of their hosts who were out to score. One of the two tries were converted to take the score to 32-14.

After the game, manager Richard Rees commented: “It was great to see so many new exciting players in the under-20s.

“There was loads of positives from the game and we have plenty of time to work on them until our first championship game against Somerset in February.”