CORSHAM remain top of the Dorset & Wilts One North pile but were given their toughest test of the season in their 25-5 victory over Pewsey Vale on Saturday.

Understrength Vale were left to rue mistakes at key moments that coughed up possession to the home side but they started well and spent the first 15 minutes in Corsham’s 22 but, crucially were unable to turn this pressure into points as the home team’s defence creaked but held firm.

One such attack ended in turnover, Corsham gaining 70 metres and taking the lead through a Dan Goldsworthy penalty.

At the restart Corsham surged forward and a Pewsey scrum went awry as the ball shot out before being picked up by Corsham scrum-half George Beavis who strolled in for the try, converted by Goldsworthy, who then added a penalty to increase the lead before half-time.

Pewsey played the second half with ambition, though struggled for territory and on 60 minutes Corsham fashioned a well-worked try for Aaron Gale that was converted by Goldsworthy.

Vale upped the effort and were rewarded when prop Tom Baish bounced three defenders off as he crashed over in the corner.

With 10 minutes to go two yellow cards to Corsham for high tackles should have given Pewsey the edge but they were unable to capitalise and a lineout tactical error gifted a try to Corsham's Taylor Ball to wrap up victory.

Corsham coach Tim Draper said: "It was our toughest test of league season to date. An excellent defensive effort was foundation of the win, only conceding a late try when down to 13 players due to two yellow cards.''

Warminster kept up the pressure on Corsham by claiming a 45-24 win over Devizes 2nd at Folly Lane.

The home side who opened the scoring despite the early set piece dominance of the visitors with a superb try.

From a breakdown inside their own 22, the ball was spun to outside centre Sikeli Rokovunicaga, who danced around two defenders to break clear before a superb one-handed offload sent winger James Pinnell over for the score.

The Warminster lead was short lived when Devizes created an overlap down the right hand side and Toby Lock went over for an unconverted score.

The amber and blues replied with two quick tries, the first of which came from a one-two at the back of a scrum in centre field, with Gavin Pratt sent through a gaping hole for the score before he returned the favour, committing the last defender and passing back to number eight Manupaia Raloka to score the try, which Pratt converted.

Warminster’s third try arrived from hat-trick hero Waka after a deft offload for loosehead prop Matty Dunford, Pratt adding the extras.

Hunting the try bonus point, Warminster got it when tighthead prop for the day, Dan Woods, came crashing through on a short line and Pratt converted.

Devizes proved they were still very much up for the fight with a score by Sean Fox but the second half started well for Warminster when Waka added his second under the posts after some fine footwork from fly-half Cieran Chester. Pratt added the conversion.

The amber and blues lost James Pinnell and Dean Priestman to the sin bin within a minute of each other and Devizes took full advantage to rumble over for a score through Tom Collins reduce the lead to 33-19.

Waka added a third score for the home side and, after a delay due to a Devizes injury, before Pinnell went under the posts to give Pratt another easy conversion.

Devizes had the last say with a try through Luke Rapson.

Bradford on Avon claimed a 32-24 triumph over Minety in the first of back-to-back meetings with Minety The teams face each other again this weekend, this time at Minety in a Dorset & Wilts Vase quarter final, but Bradford took the lead in the league clash through a penalty from fly-half Fin Dewar.

An 80-metre break out from their own line saw the home team dominate possession and a fine scissor movement in the centre saw centre Tom Culshaw extend their lead with a try.

Another breakaway score for the home team courtesy of Leo Robertson in the 38th minute took the lead out to 15 points before Minety hit back in injury time when scrum-half Jack Ward spotted an opening from a penalty and raced through to score in the corner.

Fly-half Tom McAllister slotted the difficult conversion and Minety closed the gap almost immediately in the second half as fine backs’ move led to flanker Stephen Brown setting up McAllister for a try.

Minety’s comeback was thwarted in the 45th minute when Dewar intercepted a pass and ran in for his second try before a hat-trick score further extended the lead.

When second row Tim Kirkconel barrelled his way over for Bradford’s fifth try in the 63rd minute the game looked to be over.

But despite having Ward sin-binned, wing Dave Cooke intercepted a pass and ran in to score beneath the posts, McAllister converting before jinking his way past four defenders to score his second try.

Melksham came out on top of their clash with Supermarine, which was switched to the South Marston club's ground with Melksham's new Woolmore Farm base still being prepared.

The hosts struck first with the ball quickly through the hands out wide getting in behind the visitors’ defence.

Aware of the threat the visitors stepped up and pressurised their opponents' line with Dave Dyke the sniping around the corner to level it.

Thirty minutes in, full-back Matt Glover picked up a knee injury, bringing Cameron Bull on for his debut at wing.

He sensationally scored with his first touch of the ball, fly-half Callum Hurn adding the conversion.

Full-back Jonny Mills added a further score, with Hurn adding the extras for a 19-5 half-time lead.

Two quick penalties got Marine, with a further try cutting the gap to a point.

But Melksham stepped up again, working the ball out wide for Ben Brown to settle the nerves and a late Marine try proved not enough.