After Aldbourne/Hungrerford cried off the previous week Calne Crusaders were looking forward to starting the league season with a win home. However, the visiting Marlborough 2XV had other ideas.

From the very first whistle the home side looked rusty and unable to compete with Marlborough’s mobility and it was only a minute into the game when they scored their first try of the game after some good back play.

This seemed to motivate the Calne team and they burst into life. The ever dominant pack of Chris Austin, Paul Wood and Mark Edwards made a big impression as the Marlborough pack struggled to hold them off.

It was a very frustrating game for the home side, who had their fair share of possession but failed to make the breakthrough.

A few more well worked tries on the break put Marlborough clear and the crusaders went back to the clubhouse without a point.