MARLBOROUGH set up an away first round tie at Calne after romping to victory in the preliminary round of the Dorset and Wilts Vase on Saturday 15th December.

The visitors ran ten tries past their hosts, who had beaten them at The Common when they met in the league earlier this season.

Although the Marlborough pack was smaller and lighter than Cricklade, the visitors had clearly learned lessons from their previous clash and kept the ball away from their opponents' front eight.

Despite this, it was Cricklade who took the lead with barely two minutes on the clock. After good forward interplay and some poor tackling by Marlborough, the visitors conceded a penalty in front of the posts in their own 22, which Danny Lloyd easily slotted over.

Marlborough replied just a minute later when Richard Turnell crossed the line following a penetrating break from centre Charlie Randall.

Marlborough continued to probe the defence, but it was Cricklade who scored next when Dave Giles broke down the right for a score in the corner.

Again the Black and Ambers hit back almost immediately, this time through Randall, and Andy Hay increased the lead with his third try in successive matches on 21 minutes.

Hay grabbed his second before the interval, with full back Andy Warren and centre Nick Dobson also getting in on the act. Dobson added three conversions.

Marlborough lost Randall with a knee injury at half-time, but made a fine start to the second period when Toby Mitchell sprinted the length of the field to score under the posts. Dobson racked up his second try two minutes later, and completed his hat-trick after concerted forward pressure by Marlborough.

Not to be outdone, Hay sealed his hat-trick five minutes later, with Dobson converting to bring his personal tally for the match to an impressive 27 points.

Cricklade restored pride with a converted try from Steve Baldwin in the last play of the game.

Marlborough travel to Bath on Saturday for a friendly against Old Edwardians, kick off at 2.30pm.