SATURDAY'S match at The Worthies might as well have been played in a wind tunnel.

The weather conditions had an amazing effect on kicks towards the Whychurch Farm end of the ground. David Worker's conversion kick across the field was carried between the posts by the wind, and David Gee's long kicks out of defence in the second half were remarkably effective.

Defensive kicks in the other direction hung in the wind, and were much less effective.

Both sides were missing key players. The visitors lacked Simon Howes, who injured a knee last week, and a number of Malmesbury players were unavailable due to service commitments.

A party to Twickenham for the England vs Ireland international also had call on the Malmesbury numbers, but a 14 per side match was agreed on, which the visitors won by three tries to one goal.

Cricklade loaned the home side three forwards, whose value in the lineout was immense. Jon Bocksley was able to outjump Sven Groveat at the front of the lineout on both sides' throw-ins and David Worker received clean ball for most of the afternoon.

The Cricklade scrum was certainly better organised for the set piece scrums than the home side, but their structure, playing seven forwards against Malmesbury's eight gave some of this advantage away.

Both outside halves kicked well with the wind in defence. Dave Gee, for the visitors was more effective in the second half, when his kicks led to try making line-outs.

Malmesbury's decision to play six backs against seven left their blind side vulnerable and the visitors' cover across the field was more effective.

Malmesbury were pushed into their own half during the early part of the game. Settling down though, they ran the ball right across the field to give Rob Gow a gap through which to score. Worker came up for the conversion, and judged the wind exactly. The ball described an arc, before flying between the posts for another two points.

He was however, unlucky with a penalty goal attempt a few minutes later. Cricklade played back to their situation with a try when Jason Johnson was pushed over the line in the right hand corner. Dave Gee had little chance of converting the try against the wind.

The visitors began the second session as they had ended the first. Gee kicked a long defensive ball which the home defence were unable to cover. Cricklade won the following line-out and Mark Hoskins grounded the ball.

Gee lacked the judgement of Worker and the conversion kick was missed. Play fluctuated and Malmesbury almost scored several times, but their efforts came to nothing. Gordon Aitken scored the final try for the visitors with an individual effort close to the end. Gee again failed with the conversion.