MALMESBURY edged out Aldbourne 36-32 in a high-scoring clash.

The game was played at Supermarine and Aldbourne opened the scoring with a try by Dave Paulin, who took the ball from a maul and broke away to touch down.

Shaun Munday missed with his conversion attempt and Malmesbury replied with a try by Adam Twidell.

He took the ball from the back of a lineout and passed to Mark Hunt, continuing his run before completing the move.

David Worker missed the conversion and the home side regained the lead with a pushover try from a five-metre scrum.

Malmesbury replied with a try from a penalty, run in by Matt Reader and a touchdown by Justin King, which Worker converted.

But the hosts took a 27-17 lead at the break, with a further try and Shaun Munday conversion.

Aldbourne increased their lead with another try soon after the restart of the second half.

But this was countered by a try from Malmesbury's Huw Jones, who forced a gap in the home side's defence and scored under the posts.

Worker converted and, as Aldbourne tired, Malmesbury came within a point with a try by Duncan Pudney.

Worker again converted and the final score came from Hunt.