MARLBOROUGH turned in a strong second-half display to wrap up five points at Southern Counties South rivals Bradford on Avon.

In poor weather conditions, it took until deep into the second half for the visitors to really stamp their authority on what was a penalty-strewn encounter.

The visitors, featuring coach Chris Budgen in their squad, managed to keep Bradford at bay in the early stages before opening the scoring themselves, with Avenai 'Caka' Cakaunitavuki scampering over for a try and Jamie Laing adding the conversion.

Five minutes later, again seizing on opportunities in the loose, the Marlborough backs were able to get momentum going and captain Russ Westcott crossed the whitewash after a penetrating run in the centres.

The first half was marked by the penalty count and, after being warned, Bradford forced their visitors to give away a penalty try through their scrum a couple of minutes before the interval Both sides struggled in the first 20 minutes of the second half as, despite keeping the pressure on up front, Bradford began to tire.

Seizing on an unforced error, Marlborough scrum-half Will Grant sniped in from about 10 metres out for their third try.

That opened the way to further Marlborough scoring, Cakaunitavuki going over again after strong running from the backs.

A few minutes later, the visiting forwards were rewarded for their hard work at the breakdown with a try for second row Jack Lynd.

In the dying minutes, the Marlborough backs finally put the ball through the hands to winger Jack Wright, who went over for a well-deserved score, Laing adding the extras.

Bradford coach Dave George admitted: "We seemed to lose the plot 15 minutes from time and let in four tries.

"Looking forward, we must forget the results and the pressure and enjoy the simple fact we are playing rugby.''