SUPERMARINE'S mixed first team went down to a 17-10 defeat at Harwell.

Marine made numerous changes, with many Blades players stepping up a level and some first teamers going the other way to play for the second string.

The first team were under pressure after a good start and solid defence kept Harwell out until the hosts squeezed over while the visitors were down to 10 men due to a sin-binning.

Marine attacked straight from the kick off and quick ball was fired out to Mark Sheppard, who jinked his way around three players to score an unconverted try.

The second half followed a similar pattern, as Harwell again scored first.

A debatable penalty was taken quickly and the winger scored in the corner.

This was also unconverted but, driven forward by skipper Kev Ashman, Marine again fought back.

However, Harwell scored a converted try during the final minutes, before Marine had the final say.

Sheppard pumped the ball down field and full-back Darren Styles collected to round the defence and score.

THINGS went altogether better for the Blades as they swamped their Harwell counterparts 52-21

Marine started well and took their chances early on.

Mike Crabtree was the first to go over from a well-worked move.

Harwell responded with a try, but, Marine's second try came from Marv Woodhouse.

This was to be the first of four tries for him, while makeshift skipper Andy Sear was next on the scoresheet.

Woodhouse, offloaded for Sear to explode over to leave the half-time score at 22-21 to the visitors.

The second half was all Marine. Marshalled by Penny at scrum-half, Gallimore hit gaping holes in the Harwell defence to give Woodhouse easy third and fourth tries.

Andy Darrell scored the best try of the game, when 10 players went down the left flank and inter-passed before he grounded in the corner.

Sear added his second of the game and Tim Gallimore got a well-deserved try, although he was only able to convert once.

WOOTTON Bassett's good form in the Dorset & Wilts 2nd XV Merit Table took a knock as they lost 17-5 at Wimborne.

On a rock-hard surface, the home side opened the scoring and never looked back.

Bassett's attempts to penetrate the defence by attacking the larger Wimborne pack proved the wrong tactics and Wimborne scored three more tries, one of which was converted.

The only response from Bassett was a last-minute try in the corner for speedy winger Andy Edge.

Boss Gary Mander said: "We decided to take the wrong options at the wrong times, we should have moved the ball wide and used our superior pace out wide to attack their line."