Dorset & Wilts Div One North

Cricklade 5 Calne 24

THE visit of Calne was one of the fixtures targeted at the start of the season as winnable for newly-promoted Cricklade.

But the poaching of a number of their key players by bigger clubs as well as long-term injuries has meant that there are no easy games in the Dorset & Wilts Div One North.

The Calne game was a case in point as Cricklade's woes continued with a 24-5 loss.

Calne brought a powerful pack and a well-practiced line-out and that countered Cricklade reliance on a stable scrum and good rucking.

Calne opened the scoring with a penalty kick and then repulsed the home side's attempts to reply.

There was little between the general standard of either team, but handling errors by both sides usually resulted in Calne getting possession. The visitors also kicked to touch well and the rolling mauls from the subsequent set pieces brought their first two tries as they led 17-0 at the break.

The second half saw a change in Cricklade’s tactics as they began to play some free-flowing rugby, but Calne were quick to the receiver and forced numerous fumbles.

It was from one such error that led to the visitors' third try. Cricklade were moving the ball quickly along the line until a knock-on and the challenging visitor snatched the loose ball, side-stepped a couple of desperate tackles and ran in to touch down between the posts.

Cricklade continued tinkering and introducing fresh tactics. They started to have more say in the outcome of scrums, held their own at rolling mauls and matched the visitors at rucking, but time was running out.

The hosts did enjoy a heartening moment when after winning a scrum 10 metres out, Danny Lloyd picked up and made good yards before bringing Nathan Waite into the action and as he was swamped, Matt Blackburn took over to find a gap and get the ball over the line.