In what was supposed to be a dead cert, and more of training game, for BOA against lowly Calne turned out to be a bone crunching and thrilling encounter. Calne simply did not follow the script and field a near full strength team for the first time in nearly two seasons. Despite this BOA's pre-match preparation ensured they started the stronger as they applied the early pressure.

They were soon rewarded by an superb individual effort from their full back and it looked as if it would be an easy day at the office for the visitors. Calne soon put any lasting hopes of a rout to bed when the pack got their hands on the ball and took control. Calne's tight eight relentlessly pounded their opposite numbers for the full 80 minutes. Mike Charlwood's pre-match game plan was to take on the forwards, who did not impresses in the corresponding fixture, and therefore starve what is obviously a talented back line. The plan came together and with a fine aggressive performance from scrum half, Andy Donegan, BOA's back line had very little, if any, first phase service form the scrum.

On a day that saw Calne Rugby Club launch it's new youth section, for 11+'s, where every player joined in the pre-match session guided by Bath Rugby Club, a number of players stood up to be counted. This included the extremely impressive, tight head prop, Matty Arnold who didn't give an inch, and with fellow front rowers Mike Palfrey and the effervescent Ian Smart created a platform for Donegan and Gladding to harass BOA's much Vaunted back division.

The game, after the frenetic start, settled down and the two packs battled, to the last, for superiority. Calne clearly had the upper hand in the loose but at the break down BOA played the referee, who did not penalise players not staying on their feet, better. It was clear by the sometimes desperate tactics of BOA that they did not expect Calne to be so strong and they were clearly rattled. Calne mauled BOA off the park at times, thanks to Steve Waldron's coaching and a whole lot of determination, and were rewarded on the stroke of half time. Territory created by Gladding resulted in a scrum on BOA's 22 meter line, No. 8, Alan Wicks, called a back row move, picked up and started what was both a sapping but inspirational rolling maul towards the try line. BOA's fought as hard as they could but the irresistible force broke the immovable object when the great team effort was scored by Ian Smart.

Half time 7, 7.

Charlwood resisted bring on the Fijian substitutes, who were available for the first time in a while due to their military service, immediately. The changes came 10 minutes later with Calne camped in the BOA half. In what proved to be an immense and crucial period of the game Calne chipped away at BOA's well organised defence and even found an opening or two through the backs. The only disappointment to this period was that no points were taken.

BOA came back very strongly and forced Calne in to some silly errors and were able to gain some territory and relieve the pressure. Calne then gave away a series of penalties for foul play which saw BOA's level header kicker take two very difficult kicks to take them 6 point clear. Intent on taking something from the game, and creating the upset of the season, Calne fought back through, man of the match, Daron Thomas who started to run amok against BOA's back row. Although Calne, now tiring from all their efforts, could not capitalise as BOA held on to the victory but not their pride.

Post game Ian Smart spoke for the team and summed the day up by saying, 'despite the result the new, rejuvenated, Calne team are at last looking forward to their next fixture'. This will be at Supermarine in two weeks time in a crucial relegation battle of epic proportions.

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