WOOTTON Bassett seized control of Southern Counties South with a 26-20 victory at Sherborne, flanker Tim Gallimore running the show.
The visitors went a point clear at the summit as previous leaders Frome were thumped 31-0 at Bournemouth, who moved up to second behind Bassett.
Sherborne outscored their visitors by four tries to two, but ultimately their failure with the boot cost them dear.
Bassett were pulled back to 10-10 having gone into a 10-point lead, but Gallimore's kicking put them firmly in control after the interval.
He landed three penalties to punish the home side's indiscipline and then converted the second of his side's tries, one of which he himself scored.
Nick Parker also touched down for the Wiltshire side, as Gallimore took his match total to 21 points.
Richard Nias, Ed Elliott-Square and David Hobden crossed for Sherborne.
Elsewhere in the division, strong late defending from Devizes earned them a 15-12 triumph at North Dorset.
The visitors were soon into their stride and Andy Webb touched down.
Luke Clarke levelled for Dorset before the break, but Devizes were again quicker out of the blocks in the second half.
James Gaiger scored a try and James Pople converted before adding a penalty.
Max Biles pulled a try back, converted by Simon Keates for the home side, but fourth-placed Devizes held on to continue their recent good form.
Minety's relegation from Southern Counties South is all but confirmed after they failed to fulfil their fixture at Dorchester.
The call-off and subsequent points deduction leaves them on minus two points for the campaign, 12 adrift of second-bottom Bradford on Avon with just five games remaining.
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