MELKSHAM Town Reserves took a firm grip on the Premier Division title in the last week, with nearest rivals Kintbury playing catch-up in the closing stages of the season.

Town took their lead to 10 points at the top of the table with last Thursday night’s 5-0 win at Bremhill as Kintbury were held to a goalless draw by Purton.

Callum Demkiv’s double, Lee Fielding, Emilio Menghini and Jake Sainsbury did the damage for Melksham, who then added a 4-0 win against Pewsey Vale Development on Saturday afternoon.

Luke Ballinger scored twice and Rhys Talmarsh and Dean Flockton also netted for Town, who have three games remaining, including a trip to Kintbury on Saturday after hosting Bremhill in the Fountain Trophies Senior Knockout Cup semi-final on Tuesday evening.

Kintbury clinched a 3-2 win at Royal Wootton Bassett Town Development at the weekend. Luke Johnson and George Smith’s brace handed them victory, despite strikes from Josh Bolton and Dale Richards.

Cricklade Town’s challenge came to an end as they lost 2-0 at Trowbridge Town, Quentin Head and Saul Johnson doing the damage.

Wroughton also dropped a place in the table after a 7-2 defeat at Shrewton. Shane Hibbert scored twice, including a penalty, for Wroughton but they were undone by Craig Lewis and Charlie Utterson scoring hat-tricks for Shrewton and Matt Western also netting.

Westbury United Reserves extended their unbeaten run to six matches with a 3-0 win over Purton, Conner McKay’s double and George Bendle on target.

Corsham Town Reserves are also unbeaten in six after a 4-2 home win over Ludgershall Sport, Aaron Masson netting a hat-trick and Emilo Mudrak also on target.