CORSHAM took a firm grip on the Dorset & Wilts One North title race as they wrapped up a five-point win at Supermarine while nearest rivals Warminster lost at Minety.

The leaders wrapped up their 12th win from 12 this season and a ninth try bonus point as Kalif Barnes and Ben Russell both scores twice, with Liam Snape also crossing the whitewash.

Dan Goldsworthy added the balance of points with the boot.

Corsham head coach Tim Draper said: "Supermarine presented a strong challenge and their performance wasn't that of a side at the lower end of the league table.

"We scored two early against the run of play with some great counter-attacking rugby.

"It was a good result to start the second part of the league season. It was a tough game against physical opposition. We created a lot of try-scoring opportunities with some great attacking rugby but still need to be more clinical in converting them.''

Warminster's mid-season slip continued as they suffered a third straight defeat with a 28-27 reverse at Minety.

The visitors went into the fixture without a number of first-choice players but had the slope and elements in their favour in the opening half.

Early pressure brought them the opening score thanks to excellent individual skill from fly-half Ciaran Chester, who chipped over the defence and regathered to go under the posts, Jason Sprangle adding the conversion.

However, Warminster struggled to make their first-half advantage count and despite losing lock forward Ash Windle to a yellow card, Minety hit back when captain Andrew Hibbard exploited loose ball, kicked ahead and fly-half Tom McAllister fed winger Ben Langridge who ran in to score from 30 metres.

Minety added a penalty through Garin Garland, but Warminster regained the lead when wing Tom Evans went the length of the field for an individual score, Sprangle converting.

But with Warminster's Laisiasa Vinakadina sin-binned for a high tackle, Minety took advantage as the visitors were slow to react to a tap penalty near the line and Garland smuggled the ball over for a score he converted.

Sprangle's penalty from in front of the post sent Warminster in at half-time with a narrow lead, but Minety hit back at the start of the second period as Windle burst through five tackles to go under the posts, Garland converting.

The see-saw nature of the game continued as Warminster centre Sikeli Rokovunicagi produced a fine finish in the corner to tie the scores up at 22-22.

Minety were then reduced to 14 men, but the home side booted two penalties from Garland to go 28-22 ahead with five minutes left With just 30 seconds left Minety had a scrum 10 metres from their line but the Warminster pack produced an immense collective effort to win the ball against the head and the ball was sent out wide to winger James Pinnell to dive over in the corner.

Sprangle had the opportunity to win the game with the conversion but, from the touch line and into the wind, his valiant effort came up short.

Pewsey Vale closed to within seven points of Warminster as they put struggling Frome 2nd to the sword 42-3.

Vale were first on the scoreboard 15 minutes in as a forward drive produced quick ball out to wing Jamie Fox, who forced his way over out wide.

Pewsey’s pack began to dominate the scrum, a quickly-taken penalty being finished off by lock Karl Crosbie, converted by fly-half James Haynes. Three minutes later, Pewsey drove up field and found Haynes in space who raced for the corner to take the five points.

Five minutes before half-time centre Sam Flippance broke the line and fellow centre Chris Takel took it on to dot down for the try.

Haynes booted a penalty after the interval before Flippance picked at the rear of the following ruck and dived over.

Two more tries followed, full-back Frank Poulson running from his own half and jinking through a fragmented defence to score a fine individual try, Haynes adding the extras.

Five minutes later Poulson charged down a clearance, kicking ahead for chasing hooker James Cantrell who stretched for the line before Frome booted a late penalty.