Calne's dwindling squad was further accentuated prior to kick off with only 14 players being available to travel to league leaders BOA. Fortunately a plea to two veterans Rob Bell and Alan O'Daly made the game playable. The modest squad of 22 was hit by an number of injuries, work commitments and self proclaimed 'superstar' players choosing to make themselves unavailable. As the only team in the league with no second side to fall back on Calne were very close to calling the game off.

Despite this captain Mike Charlwood was pleased to see the high level of commitment form the nucleus of the squad, in the form of a number of players willing to play with injuries, and saw the game as two points saved rather than lost. A number of positional changes saw Alan Henley move from the wing to full back and the versatile Mike Palfrey move from inside centre to hooker. This last moved proved to be a revelation as the Calne front five were the steadiest they'd been all season

Calne got off to a good start against the league leaders disrupting ball whilst gaining good territory. The early pressure showed as BOA conceded a penalty for offside, converted by Andy Donegan. The lead was short lived as the BOA back line lived up to it's reputation and scored a neatly worked try in the corner. The game promised to be a classic encounter from two adventurous sides until the referee put his mark on the game by penalizing each time for every conceivable infringement regardless of allowing advantage.

In contrast to the conventional style of play BOA let their backs make all the ground and let their forwards steal the glory. The BOA backs were positive and creative whilst their pack seemed only interested in playing within 10 meters of the Calne try line. A good example followed very shortly where hard fought ground from the backs created a position for the forwards to roll a maul over from 2 yards.

Calne had their fair share of possession, however, injuries to the prolific try scorer Neil Young and captain courageous Mike Charlwood prevented the Calne back line showing their full potential. As the end of the first half drew near BOA gradually started to dominate and soon scored again off a neatly worked scrum back row move 5 meters form the line, again from ground won by the BOA backs.

Pete McGarry and Alan Wick's line out work maintained Calne's fair share of ball but solid defensive work kept Calne's reshuffled backs out, and turnover ball won by BOA's backs created a scoring 60M counter attack. BOA also had the last say with a quick tap penalty to score at close range against an now tired and hurting Calne side. Captain Mike Charlwood later reflected that score line could have a lot worse if the commitment and pride had not been present, and also a decent BOA goal kicker. Mike also left to rue the fact that a full squad, and fit, would have created quite an upset.

As squad number continue to dwindle Calne's continuity in the league structure become more doubtful week by week. The club would dearly like to hear from anyone, in the area, interested in playing first team rugby, 01249 812194.

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