CRICKLADE rattled up a 30-10 victory over Pewsey Vale to keep up their pursuit of the Dorset & Wilts Division Two North title.

With Cricklade playing into a fairly strong wind in the first half, Pewsey were able to restrict the leaders to a Mathew Henshaw penalty, and then scored a well-deserved try on the right after a drive from their powerful pack.

Cricklade, though, snatched an 8-7 lead at half-time when the ball unexpectedly popped out of a ruck on Cricklade's side, and Gordon Aitken charged straight through a surprised and despairing Pewsey defence.

With the wind at their backs, Cricklade began to play a more expansive game, and with Dave Gee's kicks frustrating Pewsey, Adrian Peall started the ball rolling with the first try of the second half.

Pewsey kept in touch with a penalty, but Cricklade eventually forged ahead with further tries from John Bucksey and Liam Dunford, both of which were converted by Henshaw. In between, Gee also landed a 30-metre drop goal.