THE battle for the Southern Counties South title is heading for a April 14 showdown between Marlborough and Trowbridge as both claimed victories on Saturday.

Marlborough delivered a second straight defeat to long-time leaders Sherborne with a 19-5 success at the Common, while Trowbridge remained in touch with a 31-3 win at Devizes.

Early phases saw Marlborough score when Joeli Radovu rounded off a backs move to go under the posts, Jake Williams adding the extras.

Sherborne replied after 25 minutes with a forwards try out wide despite a fine tackle from Jack King.

In the second half, technical infringements broke up play but the game remained close until the last 10 minutes when Mitieli Vulikijapani broke through to score for the home side.

With five minutes to go a break by Amori Nailago set Vulikijapani free and put in Will Grant to score close to the posts and convert his own try.

Depleted Devizes put in a fine effort despite slipping to a comfortable home loss to their county rivals Trowbridge.

The visitors started well and winger Lewis Jordan managed to roll over the line after a jinking run for the opening try, Tom Weaver converting.

The Trowbridge power told again as veteran prop Sam Edwards bundled over from close range but Devizes recovered and played through the phases, eventually getting on the board through a Rory Brown penalty.

Devizes’ best spell of the match saw Trowbridge flanker Max Day sent to the sin-bin but the hosts were unable to get across the line and Trowbridge cleared before going over for a third try which Weaver converted.

Fine defensive work from Isaac Gould, Rich Burton and Travis Orwin kept Trowbridge at bay for long spells in the second half before Gould suffered a nasty head injury and Trowbridge touched down for their bonus-point score.

A final arrived with replacement Shai Bonnick powering through tackles.

Corsham have designs on Sherborne's third place after their bonus-point 31-20 success at Yeovil.

The home side dominated the early part of the game and took the lead with a penalty kick, but Corsham scored five tries from Adam Jamieson, Scott Parry, Wes Newson, Will Chivers and Iain Cook, Kalif Barnes booting three conversions.

Corsham have also been announced as the winner of the Dorset & Wilts RFU's new Club of the Month award, with their second team unbeaten at the top of Dorset & Wilts Three North and having reached the Dorset & Wilts Shield final on Saturday.