IN EXCEPTIONALLY testing conditions, Dorset & Wilts I North promotion hopefuls Melksham made light work of Bradford-on-Avon, winning 48-5.

Adam Davies delivered a match-winning performance by scoring three of the hosts’ eight tries.

Though the 43-point scoreline would suggest otherwise, Melksham were made to work hard in the game’s opening phases.

Bradford held possession well in the opening quarter-of-an-hour and starved Melksham of any clear cut opportunities to cross the whitewash.

When the break did come, though, Melksham were there to capitalise. And it was full back Davies who topped off an excellent run into the corner with a try as the first points of the game were registered.

A battle for possession in the middle of pitch then concluded in Scott Davis pulling off a strong carry out to the wing, which allowed Connor Randall to touchdown for his first of the season.

The half ended 15-0 to Melksham when Phil Stone also touched down following Nick Suter’s relentless work in the middle of the pitch.

From the restart, Bradford-on-Avon kicked the ball deep into the corner. With the wind to help, the subsequently reclaimed the ball and scored their only points of the game.

Melksham’s response to conceding was emphatic. Despite some dogged defending by Bradford, Suter quickly broke off the back of a scrum to power under the posts and claim a bonus point - Alistair Smith added the conversion.

In control of the game, Melksham’s Oli Cooper broke through defenders before offloading possession to Davies - who scored his second.

Two more converted tries from Luke Cador and Sam Norris stretched the lead out of reach for the visitors.

The final points of the day from Davies saw the full back utilise his exceptional pace by wrong-footing the defenders to score a brilliant individual try.

Elsewhere in Dorset & Wilts I North, Calne lost 34-0 away to Avonvale while Sutton Benger also missed out on points when Chippenham II won 7-28.

There were greater fortunes for Royal Wootton Bassett II and Minety who beat Marlborough II and Warminster respectively.