MELKSHAM recorded a morale-boosting shut-out in Dorset & Wilts One North at the weekend as they convincingly triumphed 24-0 on their trip to near neighbours Trowbridge 2nd.

The match was evenly contested in the opening quarter as both sides traded possession in the search of the first points.

Melksham soon put pressure on the home team with a ball whipped out wide outside the 22 and Matt Glover gathered to power down the wing and chalk up the first try of the day. Alistair Smith duly added the extras.

The game remained tightly poised until just before half-time when Trowbridge coughed up a penalty for Smith to take the points and make it 10-0 to the visitors at the break.

Trowbridge attempted to mount attacks after the change of ends but they were unable to puncture the Melksham defence.

The visitors kicked for territory, which enabled captain Nick Suter to drive through off the back of a scrum to get the second try of the day, with Smith again converting.

Trowbridge were undaunted and continued to attack but Melksham's next foray into the hosts' half was rewarded with more points following a powerful carry over the tryline from Ollie Cooper as Smith added the extras once more.

No more points came in the game as Melksham worked hard for the bonus-point score but were denied by a combination of the home defence and failing daylight.

Elsewhere, Warminster made it four victories in a row as they ran in eight tries en route to a dominant 52-5 win at home to Calne.

Kurt Hilton and Jack McIntyre both ran in a brace of tries, while Jamie Verden, Dan McIntyre, Daniel Woods and Ollie Pinnell also got themselves over the whitewash.

The Folley Lane side sit third in the table, one place above Melksham, with both teams just three points below leaders Avonvale.

Bradford on Avon sunk to the bottom of the table following a heavy 41-10 defeat away at fellow strugglers Minety on Friday night.