MARLBOROUGH Under-13s claimed both the Cup and Plate titles at the Melksham Dorset & Wiltshire Festival earlier this month.

Able to enter a team in both competitions due to Marlborough’s squad size, the Common outfit saw each side play five games apiece with one romping to victory and the other securing success in nail-biting fashion.

In the most serious and professional tournament the youngsters had ever played in, Marlborough faced some of the top teams in the region including; Chippenham, Bournemouth, Salisbury, Devizes, North Dorset, Supermarine, and Walcot.

Both teams got off to a flying start, winning their opening games with some incredible displays of skill, desire and commitment - a trend that continued throughout the day.

The first league was won convincingly with Marlborough maintaining their 100 per cent win rate and a positive points difference of plus-85 - the best points difference across the whole festival.

The second league was a different story with results going down to the final game.

Marlborough had won four games and lost only one with a plus-55 points difference. The only team that could beat them was Chippenham who were playing Salisbury and needed to win by four tries to clinch the title.

Chippenham quickly racked up a three-try lead within the first seven minutes, and it was looking like a forgone conclusion that they would snatch the title from Marlborough in the very last game of the day.

However, the rugby gods appeared to be smiling on Marlborough as Chippenham saw significant pressure lead to nothing and multiple tries disallowed.

Chippenham’s game finished three tries to one after a stunning full-length-of-the-pitch try from Salisbury, crowning Marlborough winners of the second league as well.