SUPERMARINE, blighted by last-minute call-offs, gave champions Corsham a run before slipping to valiant defeat on Saturday.

The late absences meant skipper and openside flanker Jamie Titcombe having to switch to scrum-half, but he certainly led by example and tested the leaders time and again with his snipes from the base of the ruck.

Corsham started the stronger of the two sides but the Swindon side were not to be budged, and it was they who scored first through Shaun Higgins who spotted a gap and split the defence before touching down,

Alex O'Neill added the extras but the home side, after an earlier penalty miss, responded with an unconverted try from blindside flanker Roy Hewett.

Supermarine were undaunted, however, and a counter-attack yielded a penalty, which O'Neill slotted for a 10-5 lead.

Corsham responded again with the best try of the game. Andy Redgewell, another back row man and playing his last home game before an impending posting to Cornwall, crossed over after a sweeping move.

After a delay for injury, full-back Denzil Brockhurst also crossed over later in the half, converting the latter two touchdowns for a 19-10 lead at the break.

O'Neill then got on the trysheet himself as Supermarine closed the gap early in the second half.

The champions, in patchy form, hit back with tries from Tony Iacono and prop Ed Minty, but Titcombe split the home defences again for a deserved try, the conversion charged-down.

The hosts, though, had the final say as their other Minty brother, Tim, touched down for Brockhurst to convert.

Corsham have met with a favourable response to their appeal for new coaches following the announcement that head coach Neville Smith and backs mentor Phil Kernan are to step down at season's end.

The club, busy preparing for Southern Counties rugby next season, are welcoming applications from any interested parties to Corsham Rugby Club, Lacock Road, Corsham, Wiltshire SN13 9QG. For those wanting further details, contact the club on (01249) 701064 or Smith on 07773 280632.