Calne II’s sent a clear message to all Dorset & Wilts Division Three North teams on Saturday, by comprehensively beating the league’s joint second placed team, Cooper Avon tyres II, 31 -3. The win from Captain Jason Dolman’s men proves that Calne II’s entry in to the league, for the first time in its history, won’t be just to make up the numbers. Through this result, the team have proven that they will be, in the very least, competitive, and if all goes according to plan much more than that.

Calne kicked off up the slope and into the wind, against a fired up Cooper Avon, who were keen to show their non-league based opposition, what entry into the league would mean. To Calne’s credit, the first 10 minutes were a stalemate as both packs sussed each other out. Whilst the scrums remained in stalemate, Cooper Avon dominated the lineout, but was out played in the loose and in the tackle.

The difference between the two teams was Calne’s back division. The three-quarters collected all five of the day’s trys. They at times ran riot thanks to the clean and quick ball supplied by their forwards.

Last weeks final try scorer was this week’s first try scorer. Winger, Jason Wood was in support and at hand to receive a beautiful lay off from inside center James Lynch for the score. Lynch added the touchline conversion. Following a failed drop goal attempt, Cooper Avon responded to Calne’s try with a penalty in front of the posts.

The first half played out with the score line in check at 7-3. Calne’s lack of lineout ball and some out of character handling errors limited Calne’s opportunities, whilst Cooper Avon could only muster another failed drop goal attempt.

The second half started with a bang. Rugby league convert, Lynch, was next across the white wash. Cooper Avon’s centres looked outclassed and when Lynch decided to take a direct route to CAT’s try line, they and three of their other team mates were left flailing in his wake. The center converted his own try.

Fellow center, Alan Milton, sliced through next, not to be out done. Following his brace of trys last week, Milton added the third of the day by burrowing over after some classy running.

Calne started to ring the changes and new recruit Paul Wood entered the fray, the impressive Shane McCafferty making way. Mike Burden also joined proceedings on the wing and with his first touch scored Calne’s next try. Quick third phase ball was shipped out through Lynch and Milton to Alan Henley who delivered the perfect pass to send Burden though.

As a just reward, Henley was the next, and last, to score. Man of the match contender, No 8 Trystan Williams, broke down the blindside from a scrum and laid off to Henley, now at full back. Just as it looked like Henley was about to be muscled away from the line by the defence, Mark Edwards added his weight and took the ball and Henley over the line.

Calne were unlucky not to add another two scores, with prop Chris Austin and second row Paul Wood coming close and being adjudged to have been held up. The strong finish rounded off a perfect day for the club, as the first team ran out 17-10 winners over Bradford on Avon in division one.

Final Score. Calne II 31 Cooper Avon tyres II 3

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