Wootton Bassett narrowly lost 20-16 to league leaders Bournemouth in a Southern Counties South championship deciding game on Saturday at Stoneover Lane.

In a game that Bassett really needed to win to secure a play-off spot, it was the visitors that opened the scoring after 10 minutes when their fullback crashed through the centre to touch down under the posts for a converted try.

This try kicked Bassett into life, and the rest of the half saw them camped in the Bournemouth half, but they were unable to convert this total pressure into points and the half time whistle came with Bournemouth leading by seven points.

The second half again saw Wootton Bassett dominate the line-outs and they pummelled the Bournemouth line.

It was from an excellent move in the centre that flyhalf Nick Parker rounded the defence and dived over just right of the uprights, full back Duncan Fulling slotting the conversion to level the score.

This equilibrium did not last long, as it was Bournemouth who scored next with a penalty to put them 7-10 in front.

The home side once again continued to throw attack after attack at Bournemouth and this continued pressure resulted in the defence buckling.

Bassett were awarded a string of penalties, of which Duncan Fulling converted two to put Wootton Bassett ahead for the first time in the match 16-10.

With only 10 minutes remaining, Bournemouth jumped ahead again after scoring an opportunist converted try coming from a rare lapse in the Bassett defence.

With the score now at 16-17 and only five minutes remaining, the game was still anyone's, but it was Bournemouth who nailed the victory with a finely-struck drop goal to give them the victory, the points and the league title with a 16-20 win.

Bassett coach Graham Stickler said afterwards: "This was a game that we had to win to secure the play-off spot, but unfortunately we haven't.

"I am very proud of the squad's performance, they have done everything I have asked of them."

Bassett still remain in second spot as third-placed Frome went down to Redingensians.

This means that Wootton Bassett now have to win their final game away at Tadley to secure the second spot and then the play-off game.