DORSET and Wilts put on a brave show before going down to a North Midlands side comprising several national league players in the first leg of their quarter final cup clash on Saturday 4 May.

An exceptional display from the twin counties saw them lead by eight points at the interval, thanks to a try from Wootton Bassett full back Dave Parker and two penalties from Phil Graves.

But the twin counties were handed a blow at the beginning of the second half when Dorchester flanker Richard Elliott was din binned for a professional infringement and the setback allowed visitors a way back into the match.

Bassett winger Nigel Francis grabbed the hosts' second try to level the scores at 16 apiece, but two more tries and a penalty for visiting scrum half Glenn Cattle put North Midlands firmly in the driving seat ahead of Saturday's second leg at Dudley Kingswinford RFC.