CORSHAM set a club league record as they amassed a 17-try victory over Pewsey Vale in Saturday's encounter.

The league leaders travelled to a Pewsey side shorn of their Fijiian contingent, out of action now due to an impending posting to Iraq, but they made a disjointed start and allowed their hosts room to manouevre in the early stages.

Once the Corsham forwards started to find some structure to their play, however, the gaps appeared.

Lock Rob Godwin darted over for the first touchdown, after a spell of good support play, the writing was on the wall for a spirited Pewsey outfit which gave their all throughout the contest.

Hard-working number eight Ben Russell was rewarded with two tries in the first half, with full-back Denzil Brockhurst, lock Tim Minty and wing Chris Walker also crossing over as the visitors forged into a 42-0 lead at the break.

Brockhurst also found form with the boot, converting all six of the first-half tries.

The classy number 15 crossed the try-line again in a processional second period and slotted another six conversions for a personal points tally of 32.

Brother and fly-half Haydn also grabbed a brace of tries, as did scrum-half Craig Avent and French winger Julien Minier.

Walker and Godwin, switched to the back row, doubled their tallies as the Pewsey resistance crumbled.

Ben Russell completed his hat-trick and centre Tony Iacono completed the try-scoring.

There was further good news for Corsham after the whistle. The shock victory of Swindon seconds over a depleted Westbury, their nearest rivals, gave them an extra two points breathing space at the top.

Corsham now look forward to a Bath Combination Cup first round encounter at Western Counties North outfit Walcot Old Boys.

The second string, whose scheduled Bath Combination opponents Westbury were forced to call off, made an aborted trip to St Bernadette's and look forward to getting back into action - against Combination Merit Table leaders Wootton Bassett.