UNDERSTRENGTH Marlborough continued their perfect start to the Southern Counties South campaign as they wrapped up a 20-10 triumph at Frome on Saturday.

The first half was closely contested, with both defences on top but Marlborough’s backs looked lively in open play, forcing Frome to concede several penalties at the ruck.

From one of these, Garth Bari put the visitors three points ahead after 23 minutes, only for Frome to respond with a try straight from the kick-off.

With player-coach Chris Budgen coming on in the front row just after half-time, Marlborough started to dominate in the scrum.

Ten minutes in, quick handling off the back of a scrum gave Pita Robanakudava space out wide and he rounded his man to score in the corner to regain the lead.

Frome's hard work was rewarded with their second try in the corner but with Marlborough’s forwards winning more ball, the backs kept running at the tiring Frome back-line and it paid off as Amori Nailago went over out wide.

Nailago repeated the trick five minutes later and a superb touchline conversion by James Clancy with the last kick of the game secured the points.

Devizes' poor start to the season continued as they lost out 24-20 at Blandford.

The Saddlebacks' inaccuracy again cost them as they had to settle for merely a losing bonus point.

Three tries from the Devizes backline, with Andy Thompson, Mark Carter and Sam Jones going over the line, followed by a Rory Brown conversion and drop goal, nudged Devizes into a narrow lead going into the final minutes.

However, Ben Kimber, who had earlier scored a try for Blandford, added to his tally to condemn them to another league defeat.