CRICKLADE stayed in the hunt for second place in Dorset and Wilts Two North after two tries from fly-half Simon Howse helped them to victory at Marlborough.

The home side only found their feet in the final quarter of an hour, by which time they were 22 points in arrears.

Playing into the wind, the visitors grabbed the lead against the run of play through a Lloyd penalty after Marlborough were caught offside.

Five minutes later, number eight Steve Baldwin forced a gap for Lloyd to cross for a try and open up an eight-point half-time advantage for Cricklade.

Marlborough won plenty of ruck ball in the second half and were unfortunate not to score, with Mark Adams particularly strong in attack.

But Cricklade stretched their lead when Marlborough were caught napping and Adam Vince's pass sent Howse under the posts for the first of his two tries, Lloyd adding the conversation.

Prop Neil Bunce then scored his first try for the club and, to add to the hosts' misery, top points scorer Nick Dobson limped off with a knee injury.

Marlborough stepped up a gear in the final 20 minutes, but Cricklade centre Gee stretched his side's lead before home number eight Kevin Clancy barged over for his side's only score with two minutes to play.

Clancy was then sent off for dissent at the end of normal time, and Howse sprinted the length of the pitch to seal his side's victory in injury time.

Marlborough have the chance to make amends on Saturday when they entertain Colerne, kick off 2.30pm.