Marine's joy

The day started badly for Calne when late withdrawals force several team changes and the squad failed to arrive for the match until 15 minutes before kick-off, giving them no chance to warm up.

Nevertheless, Supermarine were deserved winners the result giving them renewed hope that they can avoid the drop.

Coach Arnie Fry said: "I never doubted that the right result was coming.

"We have played some good rugby this season and we have been beaten by teams who preyed on our naivety.

"This result will encourage our players and I expect us to upset a few more teams this season and prove that we do deserve our place in this league.''

Given Calne's early problems, it was little surprise that Marine started well and they were first to benefit from an infringement, although the resulting penalty was pushed wide by scrum-half Darren Milne.

That buoyed the visitors, who shifted Graham Neale from centre to flanker in his first season of rugby.

And it was his lineout take that forced the first score, scrum-half Andy Donegan firing over a penalty.

Milne soon replied however, as Marine's pack rediscovered their early fire.

Donegan and Milne traded further penalties but, just as though it looked like the half would end in stalemate, Marine broke the deadlock.

James Titcombe started the move, with a 40-metre dash down the touchline before off-loading to Tim Gallimore.

From the ruck, quick ball allowed skipper Jamie Barrett to squeeze over in the corner, Milne stepping up to slot a wonderful conversion from the touchline.

Marine's driving game gave them the upper hand in the second period but, too often, the final pass let them down.

However, it was the back row again that created the second try.

A thundering run by Richard Dodd drew in the defence and a popped ball to open side flanker Titcombe allowed him to bundle over from five metres. Milne again converted.

Calne tried in vain to get themselves back in contention, running the ball at every opportunity, but Marine's defence was resolute.