DEFENDING champions Dorset and Wiltshire cruised into their second successive County Shield final by crushing Essex 61-37 at Chapel Gate.

Bournemouth scrum-half Sam Hardcastle opened the scoring and Adam Westall converted to set the Twin Counties on their way, before Sean Barwick crashed over for a converted try to make it 14-0.

Barwick dived over for his second try and, with Westall’s conversion, the game was all but over inside 20 minutes.

But Bournemouth flanker Jack Hennings was then red-carded as players from both sides traded blows in an ugly flare-up and Eton Manor star Tyson Goodchild took advantage to score following a line-out.

Salisbury second row Liam Gilbert, though, kept up Dorset and Wiltshire’s advantage |with another try on the half-hour and Westall slotted over a penalty.

Lions’ Simon Lilley touched down before the break and, although Brad Durr reduced the arrears before half-time, the hosts were firmly in control.

Westall slotted over two penalties after the restart and Dave Thorpe touched down after coming on as a substitute for the home side.

As the clash turned into a rout, Bobby Lyons went over with Westall converting and Tom Dunn also got his name on the scoresheet, again with Westall adding the extras.

As the Twin Counties’ forwards tired, Essex ran in three late tries to make the scoreline respectable, but it will be the hosts who run out at headquarters on Sunday to face Surrey.

Dorset and Wilts: Dunn, Wilford, Manning, Lyons, Gilbert, Barwick, Clilverd, Hennings, Hardcastle, Westall, Novik, Chislett, Sean Lilley, Pottage, Simon Lilley, Esnouf, Jones, Thorpe, Baldwin, Mitchell, Gilmore, Warner.