BLANDFORD recovered from a slow start to beat Chippenham 31-16 in the final of the under-16s Dorset & Wilts Premiership Cup.

Players from schools including Ferndown, Corfe Hills, QE, Poole and Bournemouth Grammar featured for Blandford in the contest at Larksmead.

Blandford had beaten North Dorset, Dorchester and Trowbridge to reach the final.

Trailing Chippenham 11-0, the hosts settled and went through the gears, getting off the mark when Lewis Oliver and Jacka Ware combined, before rapid winger Dan Burt scored in the corner. The try was excellently converted by Korbin Clark.

Captain Harry Jones then burst through and looked set to score, only to be struck down by a hamstring injury, which would force him off.

A powerful driving maul eventually led to Will De Mello forcing his way over, Clark adding the extras as Blandford took the lead.

Back came Chippenham, moving 16-14 ahead, only for Max Love to hit back and turn the tide again.

Logan Jarvie then scored to bolster the Blandford lead, which they saw out to take the trophy.

Blandford's u16s have been aided this season by former junior All Black and Cardiff Blues ace Nick Williams, who is head of rugby at Bryanston School.