MARLBOROUGH opened their account in Dorset & Wilts One North with an undisciplined performance and unconvincing victory over county rivals Melksham.

Melksham grabbed the lead with a penalty through Simon Foster, but Marlborough's pack started to get on top and their first try arrived as Laurence Baker went over in the corner, Bruce Vuetanatotoka missing the conversion.

A further two tries followed, Jamie Cresswell going over for the visitors towards the end of the first half before Vuetanatotoka followed him and converted twice.

But Melksham remained in touch at 19-10 down as a well-worked score saw Steve Watson touch down in the corner and Foster add the extras.

Marlborough's second half performance was held up by a couple of sin-binnings which took the flow out of the game.

However, fly-half Rhys Butler's break allowed him to set tup man of the match Jack King for a try from 50 metres before Butler himself beat the cover defence to run in from his own half.

Vuetanatotoka converted both to wrap up his side's win.

Next weekend is the first home game and the opening of the club's much improved bar area by England Womens' World Cup winner Ceri Large. There is a beer festival, bouncy castle, hog roast and a band as well as a top of the table rugby match.