MELKSHAM maintained their bid for a top-four finish in Dorset & Wilts One North as they put Devizes 2nd to the sword 36-7.

Both teams competed in harsh conditions but it was Melksham with the first score, with Callum Gillard striking from a lineout through the backs.

Fly-half Callum Hurn converted and Kieran Jenkins, again off the lineout, ran a hard line in crashing through defenders for a score.

The visitors got back into the game with a well-worked try of their own only for it to be countered by flanker Chris Partt, on his debut, for the home team, powering over from a maul and Hurn adding the extras.

Melksham gradually increased their grip on the game, prop Rob Escott stepping defenders to score.

The home team were to strike again with Hurn breaking down the blindside and getting his offload returned to score in the corner.

The final try saw Partt in for his brace.

Meanwhile, Bradford on Avon head coach Dave George admitted power had been unable to overcome speed as they slipped to fifth in the table with a 45-28 defeat at second-placed Warminster.

The hosts strengthened their grip on the position behind leaders Corsham and now hold a 12-point lead over third-placed Pewsey Vale with eight games to go.

Warminster's three-quarter line did the trick, running the visitors ragged, although Bradford held sway in the scrummage area as Oli Bilton ploughed over for two pushover tries.

A penalty try, plus three penalties and two conversions from Fin Dewar made up the balance of points for the away team.

George said: “We battered them up front, but it’s fair to say that when the ball went out wide, they took us apart.

“Warminster are a good side but the game just got away from us in a lot of ways."