Oxfordshire ended their County Championship Shield Pool 3 campaign with a 54-12 defeat to Dorset & Wilts at Bournemouth.

Needing an improbable 84-point victory to qualify for the semi-finals, Oxon at least put in a better showing than their opening 64-19 defeat to Berkshire.

But they never looked like coming back from conceding four tries in the opening 20 minutes.

Coach Richard Williams said: “The boys showed a lot more spirit against a very well organised side.

“Ultimately, four turnovers cost us the game in the first half.”

Dorset led 28-0 thanks to tries from Sam Hardcastle (Bourne-mouth), Christian Norvik (Chippenham), Scott Chislett (Bournemouth) and Sean Barwick (Salisbury), all converted by fly half and captain Adam Westall (Swindon).

With a strong wind behind them, Oxfordshire dominated much of the half and were rewarded with a try from debutant flanker Alex Lyness (Oxford Harlequins), converted by Chinnor fly half James Cathcart.

Former Chinnor forward Liam Gilbert (Salisbury) powered through for Dorset after the break, Westall converting.

The hosts kept pressing, with replacements Luke Esnouf (Salisbury), Jamie Mitchell (Oakmeadians) and David Thorpe (Salisbury) all crossing over.

Westall converted the first two to complete a 100 per cent kicking record, while Chislett added the extras to Thorpe’s effort.

Oxford Brookes’ wing Robbie Fotheringham ran in a consolation try for the visitors.

Shield holders Dorset topped the group and will now host Essex at Bournemouth in Saturday’s semi-final, while Oxon will need to regroup for next season.