CORSHAM set up a Bath Combination Cup meeting with Western Counties opposition Walcot after a victory at Old Culverhaysians on Saturday.

The rearranged preliminary round encounter pitted sides from parallel leagues, Corsham currently leading Dorset and Wilts Division One and Old Culverhaysians challenging for promotion in Somerset One and fresh from their previous weekend defeat of leaders Minehead.

A try from number eight Ben Russell and two Denzil Brockhurst penalties, though, gave the Wiltshire side a 13-3 lead over their Bath rivals at the break.

Russell's try followed a sustained spell of pressure from the first whistle and although further try-scoring opportunities went begging in the first half, the boot of Brockhurst kept the score ticking.

Old Culverhaysians, penned in by their opponents and pinned back by a strong

breeze, spent much of the first period in their own half, but they did reduce the deficit with a Scott Doel penalty.

Corsham withstood a concerted forward effort in the second period, as Culverhaysians attempted to gain a foothold in the game.

The home pack made good ground and, as the penalty count mounted against the visitors, Doel further reduced the deficit with a second penalty.

Corsham, playing into a strengthening wind, were often guilty of over-ambitious handling and that checked their second-half progress.

But the visitors still held sway and they eventually sealed their victory with a late try from prop Ed Minty.

Brockhurst struck the right upright with the conversion, and Corsham will now travel to Bath again to face Walcot in the next round.

This weekend the leaders return to league action with a home encounter against Swindon seconds.

Stothert and Pitt 2nd 12

Corsham 2nd 5

CORSHAM'S second string went down to narrowly in this latest Bath Combination 2nd XV Merit Table outing.

In an uncompromising and physical contest, Stotherts took a 7-0 lead in the first half.

A try from skipper Andy Donald cut the deficit and with number eight Doug Anderson, fly-half Rory Auld and centre Donovan van Lill prominent in the visitors' effort, the Bath side came under pressure in the second half.

A late, unconverted try, though, eventually made the game safe for Stotherts.

Corsham's second string are back in Bath this coming weekend for another Merit Table match against Old Sulians.