MARLBOROUGH kept alive their hopes of claiming runners up spot and a possible promotion play-off in Southern Counties South as they inflicted only a fourth defeat of the season on champions Wimborne.

The home side soared out to a 21-7 half-time lead and, despite a Wimborne recovery, added three more second-half tries to wrap up a 38-22 triumph - their eight in a row in the league.

Despite early pressure, it wasn't until past the half-hour mark that Marlborough got on the board, as Inosi Laqekoro's powerful run set up Amori Nailago and Leo Tuliva before Jack Lynd gave the scoring pass to Russ Westcott, Jake Williams adding the conversion.

Six minutes later, another Laqekoro break saw Tuliva and Garth Bari in support with Westcott again on hand to to the scoring honours and Williams adding the extras.

A powerful run by Tuliva set up the position from which Laqekoro picked up from the ruck and piled over for a converted score before Wimborne responded with a converted effort of their own.

The second half saw the home side continue to play with terrific pace and power, Tuliva going in at the corner for the next score.

But Wimborne showed their champions' credentials as two tries, one converted, brought the score back to 26-17.

However, Williams' break and pass to Nailago set up Jimione Ranatora to score, Williams booting the extras before Maika Qiolevu ran in to score and wrap up the victory.

Two late tries condemned Devizes to a 33-17 defeat at Frome.

The home side started the better at Gypsy Lane and scored two tries to open up a 14-0 lead, fly-half Simon Westlake jinking over before number eight Alex Mallon glided through. Devizes started the second half well and an early score by Sam Jones out wide reduced the deficit to 14-5.

Lewis Dodds then continued his fine run of try scoring form with a fine run around three defenders and Rory Brown converted to bring the deficit to two points.

The home side got the next score as scrum-half Garrie Webster found the gap in the defence for a converted try and 21-12 lead.

Devizes were causing all sorts of problems out wide for the home defence and Dodds got his brace, but as the Saddlebacks pushed forward sensing the win, they gave Frome two easy run-ins for full-back Matt King and centre Calum Bonallo.