REIGNING Wiltshire League champions Wroughton helped New College take top spot this week and Weir Field boss Kevin Cook would be happy to hand the club’s crown to the new leaders.

In an eventful week at the Premier Division summit, former leaders Purton lost 2-1 at Bradford, while Wroughton pinched a brilliant point off of defensive kings Calne Town.

It allowed New Collage to roar into first place with victory against Warminster.

Wroughton played and lost against New College the previous weekend and that performance convinced Cook that the students would be worthy successors to the throne.

He said: “We played them earlier in the season and they were good but I always thought their young lads would lack experience and struggle in the winter on the difficult pitches.

“But after playing them last week I can tell you, that isn’t the case.

“I’d like to see them go on and win it because they play football in the right way.

“We’ve played all the top teams now and they are the best.”

Calne are considered the College’s closest rivals but Cook’s men put a dent in their hopes with a 1-1 draw at Bremhill View, Billy Sly’s header earning a deserved point for a depleted Wroughton.

The Swindon side will now start as favourites against Devizes this week, and while the likes of Rich Poulton and Barry Dickens become available again, they might struggle to regain their shirts.

Cook added: “It felt like a win at Calne really because we went there missing nine regular first team players. We had struggled in our last couple of games too so I was delighted with the performance.

“A lot of those that were missing will be available this week but the lads who turned up on Saturday deserve to keep their places and have given me some selection problems now.”

New College, who have now won 15 of their 16 leagues this term, looked every inch champions elect.

The visitors briefly threatened an upset after taking a shock early lead but the College roared back with Daryl Sharman hitting an impressive hat-trick and Steve Keir and Frazer Joyce chipped in with singles.

Purton’s brief stay at the top was ended by Bradford’s Pete Martin after Dave Rendle had cancelled out Russ Francis’ opener for the hosts.

Blyskawica took pole position in the wide open Junior Division One, courtesy of a 4-1 win over AFC Abbey Rodbourne.

AFC Castrol are hot on their heels after Dave Gee’s double inspired a 3-1 win against Intel - whose own hopes are slipping. Gary Matthews scored the other for Castrol, who should close the gap further at home to rock-bottom Wroughton Reserves this week.

Shock of the day arrived in Junior Two, as runaway leaders Greenmeadow lost for the first time this term.

KMLC were the team to do it, Powell scoring both goals in a 2-1 win.

Closest challengers Byrons duly closed the gap to 10 points after beating Castle Coombe Reserves 5-0. The top two meet this week and it is a must-win for hosts Byrons.

Wilton moved off the bottom with a 3-1 win against Ramsbury.