A dubiously awarded try in the dying minutes of Calne 2nd team’s match against Wiltshire Police RFC was enough to rob the 2nd team of their first victory of the season. Despite being heavily out gunned up front, Calne’s pack worked their socks off keeping up with their larger opponents and won just enough ball to supply the back line with the ball to set up the thrilling finish.

The Police started well and had Calne the 2nds fearing the worst as the almost immediately went over for an unconverted score. Expecting a tough battle upfront 2nd team captain, Paul Hulbert, relieved the pressure by asking scrum half, Steve Jacket, to attempt two penalties. Jacket duly obliged and Calne took a 1 point lead against the run of play.

Wilts Police’s pack played the tight game and when the time was right they kicked cleverly leaving Calne’s back three to turn before scrambling the ball to touch, or creating a turning over from an isolated player, though some fine chasing. From one such incursion a scrum was earned and a dart down the blind side was rewarded with another score to make the score 10-6 to the visitors.

The second half started in much the same way as the first. The police got back on the scoreboard quickly extending their lead to 9 points. Calne struck back with a Jacket penalty and more importantly a converted try from Darren Penny. Unfortunately, Penny had to leave the field moments later with suspected ligament damage to his knee. Having battled back into the lead the 2nd’s were in no mood to let slip their first chance of a victory. However, a late 5 meter scrum, in the Police’s favour, was pushed over. Unsighted, the referee pondered his decision and whilst Calne celebrated their last ditch defensive action the referee awarded the try to the dismay of the intrepid 2nds.

Final score 16-22

Jason Dolman, Andy Horman, Steve Sims, Nick Tomlin, Danny Hammond, Max Whiston, Rod Woolford, Paul Hulbert, Steve Jacket, Rob Bell, John Hope-Smith, Ben Gray, Vince Treen, Jeff Price, Alan Henley. Res. Mick Dyer, Mark Edwards, Damon Murphy, Alan O’Daly, Darren Penny.