MARLBOROUGH heaped more misery of county rivals Melksham as they cruised to a bonus-point success in Dorset & Wilts One North.

The visitors were missing a number of players but followed up their narrow triumph over Melksham in the Dorset & Wilts 1st XV Vase final before Christmas.

Marlborough got off to the perfect start, when flanker Jonny Mantle intercepted to run the length of the pitch for the first try.

Melksham drew level with a converted try, but Marlborough were back in the ascendancy with two further first-half scores.

Flanker Tauyavu Bativagone powered over from 15 yards before Russ Westcott used his pace to cross untouched.

Nathan Morgan’s three conversions made it 24-7 at the interval but, despite having Will Thomas and Westcott sin-binned as Melksham fought back after the break, Morgan’s try and conversion sealed the win.

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