MARLBOROUGH will be playing South West level rugby for the first time in their history next season after a dramatic 31-29 Southern Counties play-off triumph at Windsor on Saturday that was decided by the final kick of the game.

The Common side fought back from a 21-5 deficit to book their place at level six of English rugby with a stunning late converted try to down their hosts.

The visitors started well and scored a try through Inosi Laqekoro, who picked up from a scrum to drive over.

While the Marlborough scrum proved a dominant factor, Windsor seized the initiative, scoring tries from hooker James Winter, scrum-half Ben Grant-Adamson and second row Aaron McGroarty, all converted by Jack Gaylor to take a commanding 16-point advantage.

Crucially though, Marlborough secured their second try just before the interval, Mitieli Vulikijapani using his devastating pace to touch down and Jake Williams converting.

That paved the way for a further visiting surge after half-time, with Craig Williams and substitute Jamie Pittams performing well and fly-half James Farrell and centre Amori Nailago making a key tactical switch.

Windsor landed a penalty but the flair of Nailago saw him score a superb individual try, Williams converting.

Another stunning effort from Nailago, this time unconverted, tied the score up at 24-24 but Windsor appeared to have the upper hand again as Gaylor crossed for their fourth try, the conversion crucially coming back off a post.

However, in the final moments, Marlborough attacked with purpose and a double miss-pass from Nailago put Vulikijapani in to score the visitors fifth try.

New kicker Will Grant was tasked with the conversion, the final kick of the match and landed it to kick-start the Marlborough celebrations.

Team boss Mike Banfield said: "It was a breathtaking climax to a tough, tension-filled clash.

"Marlborough look forward to building for next season and their first ever time in level six and huge credit goes to all the players, coaches and backroom people - the whole club celebrated all evening.''