MELKSHAM went third in Dorset & Wilts One North as they posted a 26-7 triumph against Minety at Oakfields on Saturday.

Minety enjoyed most of the early play, fly-half Tom McAllister using the blustery cross wind to good effect as their forwards controlled proceedings.

But Melksham took the lead following a superb six-an move along the line that took play from their own 22 right up to the Minety line, Ben Brown receiving the ball at pace and bumped off the defenders to score out wide and fly-half Callum Hurn adding the conversion.

Melksham’s second try, in the 15th minute, came when McAllister was forced into a hasty clearance.

The Melksham backs ran the ball back and Hurn cut through Minety’s defences to score under the posts and convert himself.

Minety’s best chance of the half came from a break by skipper Andrew Hibbard but despite spending five minutes camped on the Melksham line, the villagers were unable to score.

Del Murray replaced the injured David O’Took for Minety after 30 minutes but as yellow carded for a high tackle in first-half stoppage time and Melksham dominated the opening plays of the second half.

Visiting flanker Josh Bull was held up over the line in the 60th minute but Melksham’s third try came as Jonnie Mills' jinking run took him to the line and Hurn added the extras.

Two minutes later the bonus point was secured as full-back Cameron Bull stepped defenders to go over from 40 metres.

Minety’s try in the final move of the game saw Hibbard break through on the left and a short pass to prop Will North saw the latter score close to the posts, McAllister converting.

Meanwhile Corsham progressed to the final of the Bath Combination Plate competition on April 19 at the Recreation Ground as they defeated Walcot 15-5.