MELKSHAM secured a third-placed finish in Dorset & Wilts One North after hammering Minety in their penultimate outing of the season last weekend.

With some of their team away on the club’s minis tour, Melksham were short-stacked heading in to Saturday’s encounter but they got off to the perfect start with winger Callum Gillard receiving the ball from the lineout to score in the corner.

Twenty minutes later, the play repeated itself, with Gillard shrugging off two defenders to score again.

He was not to be denied a hat-trick of ties and the winger then scored his third, turning in to cross the line under the posts, Simon Foster adding the extras.

The pattern continued against strong defence until, on the other wing, Adam Davies struck in the corner, with Melksham ending the half 22-0 up.

Visitors Minety rallied with some strong scrummaging to stall the first half domination by the home team, until centre Phil Stone struck to score his first.

The hosts’ momentum continued, with hooker Jack Hiscox breaking away with pace to score down the wing.

Entering free-flow, the home team were to strike three times more – number eight Steve Watson, with individual strength and direct running, beat defenders to claim a brace and finally, Stone powered over to complete the round.

Melksham skipper Callum Hurn said “With players away on our minis tour, it was great to see our strength-in-depth put to the test.

“Each player put his hand up today to answer the call. An extraordinary effort rewarded us with nine tries, which was especially sweet having lost to Minety away earlier in the season.”

Melksham’s last game of the season is a trip to top-of-the-table Marlborough on Saturday April 18.

Marlborough could need a victory to secure the league title.