Marlborough's renaissance continued on Saturday as they recorded a long-awaited victory over their third placed local rivals.

The visitors went into the clash looking to avenge two defeats at the hands of Hungerford last season and made a slow start against well-organised and confident opposition.

Their hopes took a blow with the early loss of influential centre Nick Dobson with an injury above the eye, and only some fine tackling from forwards Jerry Trotman, Brendan Hickey, Jamie Tunmore, and Paul Dobie kept the hosts at bay in the opening stages.

Hungerford finally made the breakthrough on 28 minutes when Damien Hutchens beat Hickey in a race to touch the ball down in the goal area to score the hosts' only points of the afternoon.

The visitors showed character and were level at the break when centre Charlie Randall broke away and beat two men before passing to Richard Turnell, who sprinted the final 25 metres for the try in the 39th minute.

Randall was again influential as Marlborough took the lead in the second half. He dummied through a gap in the Hungerford defence and presented Andy Hay with another well-timed pass, giving the centre the chance to run the length of the pitch to score his second try in successive games.

The hosts' frustration grew and led to infringement on 72 minutes deep inside their own half in front of the posts. Randall duly converted to put the game more than one converted try beyond the home side and clinch victory for the elated visitors.

Marlborough travel to Cricklade this Saturday in the Vase competition, kick off 2.30pm.