MARLBOROUGH edged out Witney 32-27 on Saturday to complete a South West One East league double over their Oxfordshire counterparts.

Witney started at high tempo and almost immediately took the lead through their lock’s converted try.

Marlborough worked hard to get back into the game, and after some good work by the forwards, Will Cowen-Dickie darted over the line for an unconverted try in the twelfth minute.

However, Witney hit back almost immediately when their winger ran in an unconverted try from outside the home side’s 22.

Cowen-Dickie reduced the deficit with a penalty in the 31st minute. However, the first half ended with the Witney forwards driving over from close range to score a converted try and stretch their half-time lead to 19-8.

Despite a stern talking to by the coaches at the break, Marlborough gave away a handful more penalties from which Witney scored their bonus-point try.

This seemed to shake Marlborough into action, and they camped on the Witney line before the inevitable came in the 52nd minute - Siaosi Feaomefiui drove over from short range.

Almost immediately from kick-off, the Common outfit saw Ashley Horner slide over for an unconverted try.

Once again, Marlborough’s kick brought pressure straight away, and Will Grant picked the ball out the back of a ruck close in and dotted down. Cowen-Dickie’s conversion put Marlborough in front for the first time.

Witney struck a penalty through to regain the lead, however, a repeat of Marlborough’s fourth try helped the hosts snatch the points prior to a tense finish on the Common.

Meanwhile, in South West Premier, Royal Wootton Bassett lost 71-7 away at Exeter University.

In Southern Counties South, Swindon maintained pressure on Devizes with a 22-12 victory at home to Swanage & Wareham.

Swindon College Old Boys fell 20-43 at home to promotion-chasing Salisbury.