DESPITE their mid-table position Melksham represented another possible banana skin for promotion-chasing Cricklade. Last week’s win at Sutton Benger was hard work when it should have been comfortable, but in ideal conditions Cricklade set off at a hot pace and denied Melksham time and possession until late in the second half, by which time they had secured a handsome lead.

Dorset & wilts Div Two North

Melksham II 7

Cricklade 36

The first score came from Lee McGlone, who was in storming form throughout, and Rhys Mills secured the extras. Shortly after the restart Nick Bond added another five points, but Mills missed with the kick. Dan Bown added to his growing tally for the season with a typical winger's score in the corner.

For most of the first half Melksham looked dangerous, but due to a number of handling errors their possession came to nothing.

The beginning of the second half was all pressure from the home team, but Cricklade’s defence held firm and a slick passing move out of defence led to the their fourth try when Stuart Johnston took the final pass and crossed the line in a tangle of bodies. Mills regained his composure and secured the other points. Melksham kept up the pressure but Cricklade always had their measure and this was confirmed when Wayne Anderson added his name to the scorers' list; Mills slotted another super kick to bring his tally to three from five.

The visitors started to throw the ball about with abandon, however their lack of caution led to an intercept and a pitch-long sprint that gave Melksham points.

As time ran down Cricklade put on another display of fine handling that paid off when Matt Blackburn took the last pass and crossed the line.

Mills signed off with a miss, but he had been the conduit for Cricklade’s attack all afternoon and his performance (like many more) had been pivotal to the solid result.