With no league matches scheduled Malmesbury took on Cricklade in a friendly match at The Worthies on Saturday.

Malmesbury found themselves short due to the illness of a couple of players, So Simon Howse and Lee Douglas donned Malmesbury Colours for the afternoon, and cotributed significantly towards the home sides effort.

The forwards were fairly evenly matched, though the visitors experience against higher league sides gave them an advantage in Loose and Rolling mauls.

Craig Sillars however, was strong in clearing up loose ball on the floor.

Guest Simon Howse plays the same sort of game as Sillars, the result being sharp Back Row play all afternoon.

Doug Ingram returned as hooker and the Malmesbury Lineout benefited from his throw -in skills.

Malmesburys backs were stabilised once William Frederick dropped to fullback and Darren Price came up to fly-half.

Malmesbury centres were sharp, scoring three of the home side's four tries. Guest player Lee Douglas scored the fourth.

Cricklade's tries came from Sergio Ricardo, two, scrum half Dave Leonard and centre Lee James.

Malmesbury took an early lead with a try from Richie Lamb, made by a run from Frederick.

Price converted the try to give the home side a 7-0 lead.

The visitors replied with a try form Sergio Ricardo, converted by Danny Lloyd, Lloyd placed accurate kicks into the Malmesbury half all afternoon.

Malmesbury were forced back into their 22 metre area for some time, resulting in a try by scrum half Dave Leonard, converted again by Lloyd.

Malmesbury leveled the score just before half time winth a further Richie Lamb try, which was converted by Price.

The spirit of the match was souredin the second half when Frederick and Cricklade's Lee James were sin-binned for a scuffle.

A penalty was awarded to Cricklade and Danny Lloyd took the three points.

Guest Lee Douglas then put the home side back into the lead. after running 40 metres to outstrip Cricklade's cover. But he scored just too far out to give Frederick an easy conversion.

Ricardo replied with another try down the wing , which Lloyd converted giving the visitors a 24-19 lead.

Malmesbury's reply came from a short lineout take which set their backs going.

A rapid passing movement placed Paul Conway with the ball in space and there was no stopping him.

Cricklade edged ahead in the final minute. Malmesbury were pressing hard on the Cricklade line, but what should have been the scoring pass was intercepted by Lee James, who ran the length of the field to score for the visitors and make it 31-24.