This was the first meeting between the two teams, this season, due to Calne canceling the earlier fixture. Having been warned about the size of the Blanford pack, and having their own renowned small pack, Calne knew this was going to be a very physical encounter. Calne applied the early pressure spending quite a while in the Bland ford half, but were unable to come away with any early points.

With a swirling wind the Blandford fly half cleverly cleared their lines and advanced to Calne’s 22. The first score, a very controversial one, came from Blandford left wing. The referee was unsighted and several Calne players watched the winger go over the dead ball line before grounding the ball, ultimately the try was given. Blanford increased their lead with a penalty.

Then came Calne’s centre Neil Young’s trademark score. Young stepped into the Blandford line, intercepted a loose pass to run the length of the pitch for a score between the posts. Converted by Andy Donegan. Calne went into half time just 1 point down.

Blandford came back out the more determined and were soon down on Calne’s try line. A Tribute to Calne’ character soon showed, as there seemed to be an eternity of scrums and no score. With first choice tight heat Matt Arnold out with injury the Calne pack should have struggled, but everyone dug in well. Blandford did finally manage to make it over for a try from their big No. 8.

Calne stepped up their game and with the excellent boot of James Gladding, they spend a lot of time in the Blandford half forcing a number of penalties. Three of which were converted by Donegan. Then came the only glitch in Calne’s defense, when The No.8 was allowed to run from is 22 for a try. This put Calne a converted try behind which they nearly got on full time. In his first game with the responsibility of throwing the ball into the lineout, Mike Palfrey threw the perfect ball to set up a maul. Then with the likes of Daron Thomas, Alan Wicks and Pete McGarry taking the ball in, for what must have been a dozen phases, Calne worked their way to the line. Donegan broke off the maul for a certain try just as one of his own players accidentally stepped into his line. What should have been a scrum was given as a penalty and Balndford kicked to touch to end the game. Calne 16 – Blandford 22

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