PEWSEY Vale warmed up for this weekend's South West Junior Cup final by shutting out Cricklade to maintain their dominance in Dorset & Wilts Two North.

Despite winds gusting up to 20 mph, constant drizzle turning to sleet at times, compounded by a mud bath of a pitch, Pewsey still managed to produce five unanswered tries.

Vale dominated territory and possession for most of the game.

Ten minutes in, following a forward power play, quick ball out to the backs and a double switch the angled run of centre James Mattingley was perfect as he sprinted in for the try.

At the end of the first quarter a break out by centre Will Bowerman caused the home team’s defence to split.

Having made 30 metres Bowerman set the ball which eventually found Mattingley at full tilt for his second try, fly-half James Haynes adding the extras.

Pewsey scored three second half tries initiated from a solid forward platform and were held up four times over the home team’s line.

Vale’s forward power broke the deadlock with tries from hooker Nick Damper and flanker Chris Spence, the latter converted by Haynes.

Just before the final whistle Cricklade were a metre short of Vale’s line when a spilled ball was picked up by prop Guy Ellis.

He shot out of the trap to make halfway before a speculative pass found wing Toni Bloomfield taking the outside, then inside to offload to Haynes who hit the whitewash in the corner.

Pewsey coach Mick Haynes, whose side host Widden Old Boys in their final on Saturday, said: "This was a very entertaining game.

"The conditions were appalling yet the action on the pitch held the attention.

"Out attributes of skilful play, alertness to take every opportunity and sound defensive organisation shone through.''