Eleven 2nd team regulars took to the field, on Sunday, to face a very strong looking Corsham, in their delayed Dorset & Wilts Vase first round tie. Their first-team counter part?s extended run in the Powergen Vase, and their league commitment against Malmesbury the day before, the club management boldly decided to test the club?s non-league based social team against the Southern County opposition, who reside one league above the Calne?s 1st XV.

Any concerns that Calne were not taking the game seriously were very quickly alleviated. Calne turned over a Corham ruck and drove their way towards the danger zone. The 2nd team pack were spurred on by the high number of 1xv regulars watching, with, new recruits, the Morten brothers both laying down big markers for future 1xv selection.

Calne managed to control possession and territory for most of the first half. They crossed the try line twice but were held up once and penalised the 2nd time. The pressure also earned two penalty attempts both were missed by scrum half, Steve Jacket, but the 2nd attempt cruelly bounced off the top of the upright.

In the dying seconds of the 50 minute first half, Corsham managed to shake off the shackles and launched an attack in to Calne?s 22. A sustained period of pressure earned a penalty, which was duly converted for a 3, nil half time lead.

Corsham rang four changes at half time and considerably bulked up their pack. Now with the scrums and lineout in their favour, Corsham started to seize control of the game. Buoyed by their surprise first half performance, Captain, Jason Dolman's men played with pride, passion and belief, but ultimately Corsham's power made the difference. Two quick trys half way through the 2nd half, sealed Calne's fate.

Calne's heads didn't drop and the back row of, first team winger, Mike Robinson and veterans Max Whiston and Simon Lathbury, proved to be an impressive combination, who menaced their, supposedly superior, counterparts to the last second. The 2nd team left the pitch with an immeasurable dose of confidence as they go into an extended run of fixtures, with the first being against Chippenham 3rds on the 14th of Jan.

Final Score. Corsham 18 Calne 0

BACK