Rugby: Marlborough Cruised to another league victory with a win over Swindon's 2nd team.
Marlborough started the game well, with the forwards kept the ball tight, using the wet and windy conditions to their advantage, trying to wear the Swindon pack out with constant rucking and mauling.
It wasn't long until the Swindon try line was crossed, with Captain Dave Lemon going over in the corner after a driving maul from a line out.
Wing Nathan Morgan added the conversion, which just crept over.
Marlborough then began to make some basic errors, in trying to force the play in the backs, with a few knock-ons coming from both sides, leading to lots of scrums, and a very stop / start game.
At half time the score was 7-0 to Marlborough.
Marlborough were very confident going into the 2nd half, knowing the slope was in their favour, and started the second half brightly.
The strength of the Marlborough pack dominated in the contact situations, and after a succession of rucks, drawing the Swindon forwards in, Centre John Crowe burst through the Swindon defence to add a second try, underneath the posts.
The tight game worked well for Marlborough, with 2nd row players Mark Adams and Paul Dobie running superb lines, so it came as no surprise when, after another succession of Marlborough forwards crashing up the field, Flanker and man of the match Joe Mitchell scored a try, again under the posts.
The young Open-side is coming into his own this year, with great performances in the last 2 games.
Swindon's best chance to score came when Scrum Half Stuart Cock broke through the Marlborough Defence, but his ageing legs ran out of gas as Mitchell chased him down and made the try saving tackle, much to the delight of the watching Marlborough Faithful.
After this the game was dictated for a period by trying to gain territory, with fly half Ollie Stacey kicking to the corners with every opportunity, and the Swindon number 10 trying exactly the same.
A worrying moment for Marlborough came when Hooker Jake Biggs was carried from the field, after one too many big tackles. Hopes are high Biggs will be available for selection this weekend.
Marlborough's Final try came from Utility Player Chris Patterson, playing in the Centres, who crashed over in the corner after a blind side move from a Marlborough Scrum. Morgan again added the conversion from the touchline, making 4 out of 4 successes.
Marlborough were made to work hard for their win, but the strength of the Marlborough pack, guided by Scrum Half Owen Lucas, made sure the victory was achieved.
Marlborough's 2nd XV played away against an experienced Swindon 3rd XV, and lost by 29-5.
This weekend Marlborough travel to Trowbridge, looking to repeat the performance there last year, when the team came away with a victory. There is no 2nd XV fixture this week.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereComments are closed on this article