Berkshire stage stunning comeback to claim opening Championship win

BERKSHIRE U20s began their Jason Leonard County Championship campaign with a 33-29 comeback win against Dorset and Wilts.

Played at Rams RFC, the hosts dominated the early exchanges as their ill-disciplined opponents conceded a string of penalties to yield field position.

Yet they produced some terrific goal-line defence to twice hold Berkshire up over the line.

The dam was eventually breached, however, a smart snipe from scrum-half Louis Roumignac getting his side on the front foot before Luke Palmer eventually burrowed over.

Will Hibberdine landed a fine kick for 7-0, but a close-range try levelled things for the visitors.

Berkshire, though, continued to look in control, and another series of penalties in the Dorset’ 22 led to second row Thomas Hanaford being sin-binned.

Again the hosts were stopped over the whitewash, and the game suddenly flipped on its head as the 14-man away side struck landed a lethal quick-fire double.

Firstly inside centre Callum Angell carved through for a seven-pointer, before an early try of the competition contender.

The visitors took the ball in their own 22 before charging down-field, a simply unbelievable back-of-the-hand 25-yard off-load from number eight Iestyn Asher sending Rhys Lethell scurrying into Clubhouse Corner.

Prop Jack Wallace then blasted over for George Yarwood to land a third successful kick, and suddenly it was 26-7 to the visitors.

Berkshire regrouped and gave themselves a life-line with the last play of the opening half, the impressive Olly Marsh over the line from a five-metre line-out.

The gap was further closed after the break as a lovely double mis-pass from Hibberdine sent Llyr Jones finish on the right.

A tremendous touchline conversion closed the gap to seven, and the scores were later levelled as Hibberdine smashed over another fine kick after Ethan Bassett wriggled over. Almost immediately the hosts undid their good work by conceding a penalty which Yarwood landed from 35 metres out.

But Berkshire came again, cranking up the pressure before impressive second-row substitute Charlie Burton threw a lovely pass to send Bassett over wide left.

Hibberdine smashed another wonderful kick between the uprights, but there was still drama as the hosts dropped the kick-off before conceding a penalty.

However, they stole a five-metre line-out to go the length of the field, and while Jake Jackson became the fourth player to be held up, it mattered not.

Hibberdine missed one final penalty attempt, but with the ball dead the final whistle was blown.

Berkshire visit Gloucestershire in their other South West Pool Two fixture on April 19.