MARLBOROUGH made it nine wins from nine in Regional Two South Central last weekend after a battling 24-18 success over Tottonians.

In the pairs’ first ever meeting, Marlborough battled through autumnal conditions to limit their hosts to penalties throughout.

Two tries from Will Reeve, as well as scores via Callum Hunt and Solomone Aniseko, clinched victory for the table-toppers.

Marlborough started slowly against their title rivals and conceded a penalty inside the first five minutes, which was converted.

But in the 16th minute, following several phases of play from an attacking lineout, full-back Reeve finished off a slick move which Will Grant converted.

Tottonians then took the lead with another two penalties in quick succession as Marlborough continued to rack up the penalties.

But in-form Marlborough did not allow their latest mistake to affect them, and – after winning the restart – Hunt finished off a fast counter-attack in the corner. Unfortunately for the visitors, the conversion was missed.

Five minutes before the half-time whistle blew, Reeve added his second try of the game to extend Marlborough’s lead to 10 points. Started from an attacking scrum, Marlborough capitalised courtesy of a move Dave Pittams’ side had rehearsed numerous times in training.

Although leading 19-9 at the start of the second half, Marlborough’s lead was quickly reduced to four points following penalties in the 44th and 48th minute, respectively.

With the home side’s fly-half enjoying a fine afternoon with the boot, Tottonians then moved to within a point of their guests via their sixth penalty of the afternoon.

But midway through the second period, Marlborough scored their fourth try of the day to regain some breathing room.

The visitors’ physical game was starting to pay dividends, with Aniseko crashing over to score following six phases of play from an attacking scrum.

Aniseko’s next contribution was not so helpful though, he received a yellow card at the same time as Arthur Allen, temporarily reducing Marlborough to 13.

Despite the player deficit, Pittams’ men held out without conceding to rack up a ninth win of the season.

Elsewhere in the division, Swindon lost a low-scoring affair 7-5 at home to Reading, but Devizes secured an 18-12 victory at home to Shipston on Stour.

Meanwhile, in Regional One South Central, Royal Wootton Bassett claimed their second victory of the season thanks to a 31-24 success at home to Banbury.

Chippenham beat Newent 27-12, while Trowbridge lost 26-21 to Thornbury - both in Regional Two Severn.