CORSHAM continued their 100 per cent start to the season with a 35-5 victory over Pewsey Vale.

In a game officiated by Texan exchange referee Randy Campbell, the home side met a different Pewsey team from the one thumped by Westbury last week.

In came a virtual regiment of Army recruits, a number of them Fijians, and they made the league leaders work for their victory.

Corsham led 9-0 at half-time courtesy of three Haydn Brockhurst penalties.

Brockhurst added another penalty early in the second half and then converted his own try for a 19-0 lead.

The visitors were restricted to the occasional counter-attack and from one of these, centre Gee Croslan dived over, the conversion missed by Dave Williamson.

But that was to be their only joy.

Corsham responded with a try from lock Tim Minty maintaining his record of having scored in all five first team outings this season.

Debutant winger Gary Ings capped an impressive performance with the final touchdown, and Brockhurst kicked the balance of points.

Oldfield 3rd 7 Corsham 2nd 7

Corsham's second string maintained the club's unbeaten start to the season as they fought back to draw with Oldfield 3rd in their Bath Combination second XV Merit Table encounter.

It was a determined second-half comeback from the second team and, although it dented Corsham's 100 per cent start, the result took the club to 11 consecutive games unbeaten.

Visitors Corsham went close on a number of occasions and certainly had their chances to win at Oldfield, but a pushover try from stand-in number eight Tim Russell, converted by fly-half Steve Tye, sealed a share of the honours.

Corsham's first team take a diversion from league action this weekend when they travel to Somerset Premier outfit Avon in the second round of the national Powergen Junior Vase.

The seconds will host a combined Chippenham third veterans team at Lacock Road, and both club sides will be looking to preserve their unbeaten records.

Coach Neville Smith said: "Considering the injuries and unavailibility we've been experiencing, it's a testament to the spirit and character of the players that we're still undefeated this season.

"I don't think we've fielded a settled side from the word 'go' so that has made it all the more encouraging.

"Although there's still a long way to go and a lot of learning to be done, the first team pack has really developed this season, and they've been a real rock of stability.

"As for the threequarters, it's good to see a couple of newcomers stepping up to the first team and putting in strong performances.

"It's healthy competition and everyone seems to be enjoying their rugby, which is the main thing.

"There's a good youthful element to it too, which bodes well for the future."