BOURNEMOUTH manager Max Higgins was left with mixed feelings after Dorset & Wiltshire’s Twickenham County Shield triumph.

The Twin Counties stormed to a 43-22 win over Surrey at headquarters on Sunday to claim their second title in as many years.

But while Simon Culley’s side were winning in London, Higgins was left counting the cost of being without several key men as Bournemouth’s sevens quest faltered at the semi-final stage.

Hoping to gain revenge for their 2010 South England Cup defeat to Bryanston Old Boys, Bournemouth eventually crashed to a 19-14 last four defeat to Prince of Wales Regiment (PWRR).

Bryanston, meanwhile, went on to retain their title, beating PWRR in the final at Chapel Gate on Sunday.

Higgins told the Echo: “We were depleted because of the Twin Counties playing at Twickenham, but they had a great result up there so that took the edge off our defeat at the sevens.

“I think we could have won the tournament if we had had the likes of Scott Chislett and Sam Hardcastle in our side, but they were at Twickenham.

“It’s been a mixed season for us because of the promotion play-off and Sam Yarwood’s death but we have had a good season overall.

“Sam would have been with us in the sevens and his presence, along with Scott and Sam Hardcastle, could have made the difference.

“We’ve laid a platform for next year now and the aim is to win the league instead of finishing second. That way we can avoid a play-off.”

Host club Bournemouth set their stall out against Sapper Rugby in the group stages, cruising to victory, before downing St Paul’s Pirates to ensure a quarter-final berth.

Their final group game ended in defeat to Pink Panthers, but Higgins’s side were able to raise their game and see off Old Redcliffians in the last eight to set up the clash with PWRR.

Former Harlequins and Worcester giant Tim Collier, meanwhile, impressed during a rare sevens outing for Bournemouth – all 21 stones of him!

Higgins added: “Tim did well and came on as an impact player. He certainly worried the opposition because of his size, but he felt it at the end of the day.

“It’s not easy playing sevens for two days when you are Tim’s size!”