A SECOND-HALF blitz helped Melksham return to winning ways in Dorset & Wilts One North with a thumping 34-3 success away at Calne.

The visitors were on the front foot right from the kick-off and a lineout in the Calne 22 brought reward for Callum Gillard as he took the ball at pace to touch down in the first three minutes. Callum Hurn add the conversion.

That promising start turned into the only points in the half as the home defence fought on desperately to keep Melksham at bay as they had to make do with a 7-0 cushion.

The visitors were able to increase the pressure increased after the break, causing Calne to cough up a penalty that was successfully struck by Hurn to start the scoreboard rolling again.

Minutes later, Luke Cador attacked down the wing with a sublime kick and collect to score, with Hurn adding the extras.

With the visitors’ pressure maintained and Jamie Shipman, who had been narrowly denied minutes earlier, struck again out wide after returning a clearance kick.

Alex Britton continued his strong performance by breaking through the centre and offloading to Hurn, who stepped through defenders to dive over the whitewash and earn his side the bonus point before adding the conversion himself.

Calne were unable to combat Melksham’s width and pace and Jake Spooner struck out wide to round off the scoring for the visitors.

The home side were able to avoid the whitewash, though, with a well struck penalty at the end of the game to get themselves on the scoreboard.

Elsewhere, Warminster made it five straight wins in 2019 with a battling 27-25 victory away at Trowbridge 2nd.

The success keeps the Amber & Blues third in the table – one place above Melksham.