MALMESBURY served notice that they could be a force to be reckoned with in league rugby next season despite falling to a 22-6 home friendly defeat to Calne.

The visitors adjusted their pack with the versatile Mike Palfrey moving from hooker to the flank, and Jason Dolman making his return at hooker.

There was also a new centre partnership in Mike Smith and Graham Neale.

Yet it was Malmesbury who opened the scoring as David Worker kicked a penalty.

But Calne then pinned their opponents back and No 8 Alan Wicks peeled off a lineout to go on a charging 25 metre run down the touchline, beating five tacklers on his way to the line.

Malmesbury hit back with a second penalty from Worker, but continued to kick good possession away.

And in an end-to-end phase Calne scored next, Mike Robinson and scrum-half Matt Arnold combining to send Mike Palfrey over for his first try for the club and a 10-6 half-time advanatage.

Malmesbury came out strongly in the second period, but despite drives from skipper Craig Sillars and Simon Sharp, Calne held firm.

And when the visitors turned over oppositon ball, Smith's delicate grubber kick allowed wing Mike Benson to also open his account for the club.

Palfrey added a tough conversion and Calne rounded things off as full-back Mike Robinson collected to dummy his way over for the final try.