FRONT-row warrior Frazer Wilford revealed his determination to claim promotion with Bournemouth after easing his play-off pain in style at Twickenham.

Hooker Wilford scored one of Dorset & Wilts’ six tries as they beat Surrey 43-22 to retain the County Championship Shield yesterday.

The Poole-born hooker, captain when Twin Counties won the crown last year, was part of the Bournemouth team that missed out on promotion to National Two last month.

Wilford was delighted to play a role in Dorset & Wilts’ latest success but admitted it did not repair all of the damage from Lions’ 23-22 play-off defeat at the hands of Hertford.

He told the Echo: “It maybe plasters over a few of the wounds but we have still got the bit between our teeth at Bournemouth for next season.

“Winning the County Shield does make up for it slightly but there is still a lot of hurt that is going to be there all summer.”

Discussing Twin Counties’ win over Surrey, Wilford added: “I was captain last year and I didn’t have that pressure this year so, to a certain extent, I probably enjoyed it slightly more.

“It was more of a relief last year whereas, this time, I was able to express myself a bit more and I enjoyed it.”

Asked about his try, he added: “I wanted that. I didn’t play all of the game last year so I had a bit of a score to settle and that certainly made up for it.”

Wilford was one of six Bournemouth players in Twin Counties’ starting XV. Oakmeadians’ Jamie Mitchell came off the bench, as did Wimborne back Lewis Warner, who scored a fine second-half try.