MARLBOROUGH took their winning run in Southern Counties South to six matches as they wrapped up a 25-14 triumph at county rivals Devizes on Saturday.

Garth Bari put the visitors on the board with a penalty but the home side, fresh off their superb victory over Swanage & Wareham the previous week, stormed out of the blocks as good hands from Travis Orwin's pass found the returning Lewis Dodds on the wing and he went underneath the posts, skipper Rory Brown adding the conversion.

The hosts also missed a penalty but Marlborough hit back as scrum-half Maika Qiolevu dived over around the side of a ruck to score and James Clancy kicked another penalty for an 11-7 half-time lead as Devizes lost number eight Craig Bryant with an injured shoulder.

The pivotal moments of the match occurred after half-time as Marlborough scored two tries to take command of the game.

With Semisi Rasivo and props Wilden Robanakadavu and Lemeki Moala having fine games, a flowing move resulted in Avenai Cakaunitavuki scoring, Clancy converting.

Three minutes later a similar attack resulted in space for joint-coach Leo Tuliva who beat the defence and went under the posts, Clancy again adding the extras for a 25-11 lead.

The game switched again as Robanakadavu was shown a red card before a kick to the corner by Brown saw Devizes engineer a destructive rolling maul which rumbled over the line and Scott Martin came up from the pile of bodies with the score.

Brown landed a tricky conversion but the Saddlebacks lost county second rower Lewis Paget with a shoulder injury and Marlborough held on in the face of fierce home attacks.