A late rally of tries helped Calne save face and produce a reasonable scoreline after dominating proceedings at Colerne. The travelling side dominated all aspects of the game and should have walked away with a greater points difference, but some sloppy handling and a resolute defence maintained a modest scoreline.

Calne started sharply, with form centre, Guthrie Holliday, stepping around his opposite number with ease for the first score. But Colerne hit back with a penalty, before Holliday replied with interest, with his second. Calne’s pack mauled their way, from the half way point to the 5 meter line. The reeling defence was drawn in and caught napping and fly half James Gladding sent out a perfect pass to Holliday, who proved to be lethal at such close range.

Captain Andrew Donegan added the conversion and followed up with a penalty. Colerne offered little in attack and opted to kick the ball away in promising positions. Lock, Pete McGarry, helped himself to a feast of Colerne’s line out ball, whilst the pack, as a unit, out scrumaged their opponents. However, with the multitude of ball at their disposal, Calne failed to add to their first half tally.

Calne’s domination of the set piece and possession continued into the second half and despite camping deep into Colerne’s territory no further points were added for a full 25 minutes. The hosts tackled valiantly and policed the break down well, limiting Calne’s options as much as possible.

Full back, Stuart Boswell, was next on the score sheet, as Calne finally started to expose the hard working but tiring defence. Despite being offered massive overlaps, for most of the game, Calne naively kept taking the ball back towards the safety of the pack. But in a rare wide back line move, Boswell slipped through for his first try for the club.

Winger Mike Robinson, started to feature prominently and soon set up Rich Kearny. Robinson fed a deft little pass to the supporting flanker, who casually trotted over the line against the over stretched defence. The final score of the day was claimed by Alan Wicks. Who, in text book No. 8 fashion, smashed his way though to the line with no heirs or graces.

Final Score. Colerne 3 Calne 36

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