MARLBOROUGH’S rugby and hockey clubs boast some of the best facilities and top teams in the area.

The rugby club celebrated a historic 2009-10 season, the first team winning all 22 of their matches in the Dorset & Wilts One North division to earn promotion to Southern Counties level for the first time, while the second team were similarly elevated from Dorset & Wilts Three North.

Inevitably, the higher standard has proved tougher for the club this season, although the first team did win their first match of the campaign just before the Christmas break.

Nevertheless the club, which runs two men’s sides, boasts one of the finest rugby clubhouses in the county, overlooking its pitches at The Common and also hosts a thriving junior section, with age groups ranging from the U6s to U16s and girls sides.

The hockey club runs five men’s and ladies teams, as well as a junior section, with most matches taking place at Marlborough College.

The men’s first team play in Premier Division Three of the regional Davis Wood Hockey League, with the ladies top side in the Wessex One division of the West Clubs League.

Training also takes place at the College (men, Wednesdays 7-9pm, women, Thursday 7.30- 9pm) with juniors over the age of 14 encouraged to attend the relevant senior sessions.

Marlborough Running Club has just under 100 members and also hosts several events throughout the year, including the gruelling Marlborough Downs Challenge, over 20 or 33 miles and the Avebury 8, starting an finishing at the World Heritage site.