FULL-BACK Nathan Morgan believes Marlborough will absorb the lessons of last season’s cup run after reaching the final of the Southern Counties Junior Vase last weekend.

Morgan scored 17 points and skipper Jonny Mantle added a hat-trick of tries as their side defeated Berkshire’s Crowthorne 37-14 at The Common to book a clash against Abingdon on February 1.

Marlborough clinched the Senior Vase last season before losing the South West final to Forest of Dean side Drybrook, who went on to reach the national final at Twickenham last May.

Marlborough are also top of Dorset & Wilts Two North and in a good position to return to One North from which they were relegated last season.

And Morgan said: “Last year, we probably put a bit too much emphasis on the cup games and perhaps the focus went off the league a bit.

“It’s nice to have a another cup run after what happened last year but if we do manage to come through these games, then it is great but I think we’re looking on the cup as a bit of an added bonus.

“We’ve got Abingdon in the next round and, while we are at home for that, we won’t be looking beyond it.

“Our coach (Chris Budgen) has made it clear that the league is our priority this season and we’re going out to try and win that."

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