CALNE gave high-flying Bradford on Avon a scare as the former Dorset & Wilts Division One leaders just edged to a 13-7 victory on Saturday.

Lowly Calne played their part to the full in a bone-crunching and thrilling encounter, although it was the visitors who started the stronger.

They were soon rewarded by a superb individualtry from winger Chris Clark, who burst through several would-be tacklers to run in from 40 metres out.

Full-back Dai Martin converted and at that stage Bradford looked to be on course for another comfortable victory.

The home side had other ideas, however, and with tighthead Matty Arnold and fellow front row men Mike Palfrey and Ian Smart prominent in a forward-orientated display, Calne soon began to pressure the visitors.

Half-backs Andy Donegan and Gladding also created problems for Bradford and their reward eventually came on the stroke of half-time when No 8 Alan Wicks picked up from a scrum, and from the resulting maul, Smart eventually dropped over for a try, converted by Donegan.

The home side continued to hold the upper hand early in the second half, and the introduction of their Fijian substitutes strengthened Calne's hand.

Calne continued to chip away but could find no way through Bradford's well-organised defence, and the visitors eventually rallied with a spell of pressure of their own.

This yielded some errors and Martin took full advantage to slot over two decisive penalties.

Calne's man of the match, flanker Daron Thomas, initiated a late rally but still their was no way through.