CRICKLADE were unable to hold on to their lead against fourth-placed Melksham as they secured a five-point 22-10 victory in Dorset & Wilts One North.

The hosts went into the lead as Lewis Palmer intercepted and outpaced the chasers to score.

But the visitors levelled when skipper Callum Hurn stepped past the defence and ran in before full-back Adam Davies backed himself from the halfway line and added Melksham’s second Hurn slotting the conversion.

Melksham added more pressure and Steve Watson carried over for a try but Cricklade responded when Matt Blackburn rolled the last defender to score in the corner after the ball had been shipped wide.

However, Melksham secured the bonus point as a powerful drive from Dale Ivory took him over for the fourth try.