RUGBY: Marine back in the title hunt after win (From Swindon Advertiser)

RUGBY: Marine back in the title hunt after win

8:10am Wednesday 21st December 2011 in Rugby By Andy Warren

SUPERMARINE blew the Dorset & Wilts One North table wide open with a 41-15 win over Bradford-on-Avon.

Matt Dickins grabbed a brace, while Alan Milton, Jeff Barrett, Nick Maldon and Alex Robinson all scored tries to move Marine to within six points of leaders Chippenham.

Joint head coach Sean Millwaters was pleased with the display, and is happy with how his side are placed going into 2012.

“It was a very good win and we will take a lot from the game,” he said.

“They are a good side, so to score 41 points against them is good for us.

“We are not far behind Chippenham and second placed Swindon, and we still have them to play, so if we win those I would not rule out us having a go at the top of the league.”

Elsewhere in Dorset & Wilts One North, Fairford lost 55-10 to Trowbridge and Minety beat Swindon 2nds 30-8.

Minety went in 8-3 behind at half time, but cut loose in the second period as Andy Brown, Luke Radcliffe, Dave Church and Josh Bull barged over to secure the win.

Cricklade ended the year on a high with an 82-12 victory over Corsham 2nds.

Swindon College Old Boys bounced back from two tough away defeats to win a tight game 15-13 at home to Bicester in the Berks/Bucks & Oxon Premier.

Wootton Bassett captain Gary Williamson admitted the better team won as his side lost 31-26 at home to Milton Keynes in Southern Counties North.

The lead continually changed hands throughout the tight clash, but Keynes struck a late try in the final ten minutes to break Bassett hearts.

"We have being hit really hard with injuries this year in our forward pack, and up to now we have been able to plug guys and just about get away it,” Williamson said.

“On Saturday, though, the Milton Keynes pack were too well drilled and laid the platform for a deserved victory.

“Our defence was strong the previous week against Grove but we let ourselves down on Saturday and fell off to many tackles.

“We're hoping the Christmas break will ease some of our injury worries and we can get some of our key forwards back onto the pitch in the new year."