MARLBOROUGH missed the chance to put daylight between themselves and the relegation zone in the Davis Wood League Championship as they slipped to a 6-2 defeat at county rivals West Wilts.

Looking to get back on track after the previous weeks loss, Marlborough started brightly in Warminster, but it was the home side that bagged the opening goal, Callum Wolff scoring with a nice reverse-stick shot.

The visitors responded when captain Rich Holman squared to the unmarked John Bromley, who powered his shot home.

Back on level terms Marlborough pressed further up the pitch which left gaps which Wilts twice exploited, Wolff netting both to complete a first-half hat-trick.

Holman reduced arrears before the interval and the visitors felt they should also have been awarded a penalty flick.

The second half began with Wilts showing their dominance, Wolff scoring yet again as Wolff converted a short corner with a beautiful drag flick before Dave King finished off a break.

Marlborough pressed but Ed Dumpleton brought up the home side’s half dozen to round off victory.

Devizes are up to second in Central Two after recovering from 2-0 down to defeat hosts Team Bath Buccs E in torrential rain.

The visitors dominated the early passages of play but were twice hit on the counter-attack.

FOR MORE HOCKEY NEWS, REPORTS & PICTURES SEE THURSDAY'S GAZETTE & HERALD AND FOLLOW US ON TWITTER @gazsport

They persisted with their attacking hockey and pulled one back just before half time with a Roger Edwards drag flick.

Devizes were more patient in the second half and passed the ball quicker, the second goal coming when Ollie Smith won the ball back at the top of the circle and crossed for Neil Powell to tap in.

Devizes then upped the tempo and found the winner, a good one-two combination between Ollie Smith and Edwards resulting in the latter firing home.