MARLBOROUGH skipper Jamie Pittams issued an apology to his side’s travelling fans after they crashed out of the National Junior Vase at Longlevens last weekend.

Marlborough were sent packing with their tails between their legs as they slipped to a 40-0 defeat in the South West final, ending their dreams of reaching a national final at Twickenham.

Second row Pittams said that his side simply didn’t turn up in Gloucestershire .

“The main problem was that we just didn’t turn up on the day. We had a strong squad that travelled up there but we just got dragged down to their level,” said Pittams.

“They were a physical team and they had some quick wingers. They didn’t give our backs any time to play and our discipline went at times, which they exploited.

“It was just a pretty crushing feeling to lose the game and I want to say sorry to the people that made the trip to watch us up there.

“I know that there were people in there that took the day off work or gave up spending the day with their families so I’m sorry that they didn’t have the kind of trip that they wanted.

“We said at the start of the year that the league was our focus and whatever happened in the cups would be a bonus – we’ve got a game against Supermarine this weekend and we’ve got to react.”

Marlborough were trailing 20-0 at half time and a late flurry of scores wrapped up Longlevens' comfortable triumph.

The Dorset & Wilts Two North leaders made a bad start, spilling the kick-off and allowing Mike Hagan to open Longleven’s account with a penalty.

Hagan's pass sent Harrison Yorke over for the hosts’ first try after Rhys Butler had been sin-binned for an obstruction offence and a second quickly followed as Jack Beck thrust through the defence, Hagan adding the extras.

Dave Edwards added Longlevens’ third try before Jed Jones went over the line after the break.

Another try from Yorke, a Hagan penalty and a sixth courtesy of Beck, converted by Hagan, rounded off the rout.

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