HEAD coach Alan Low hailed Royal Wootton Bassett’s complete performance against Marlborough at the weekend, which stretched their unbeaten league run to eight games.

Low’s troops conceded just one try as Bassett raced to a 38-5 victory to keep the pressure on South West One East leaders Newbury Blues.

“Saturday was a fantastic performance. The boys were really happy with the result and came off the field feeling like they had played well and executed well,” said Low.

“We felt there was still a bit more to come after full-time – and that’s probably a different feeling to our other games so far this season.

“It was a tough and physical game, but the team coped well and we took the chances that were presented to us.”

Bassett came out of the blocks fast to sustained early pressure and within three minutes, had scored the first converted try of the game.

Marlborough have reacted well to conceding tries in recent weeks, but Bassett defended resolutely and intercepted a stray pass to run in a second try.

The hosts soon began to get themselves going and after winning a lineout 10 metres from the Bassett line, they were able to drive over. Semisi Rasivo was the man to touch down, although Will Grant’s kick went wide.

The game continued to be fought hard and Marlborough were on top for the remainder of the half but unable to convert territory into points.

Despite a yellow card, Bassett made one last attack before half-time, winning a lineout 10 metres from the line before spreading the ball wide to score and take a 17-5 lead into the break.

The second half started as the first had finished and the situation got worse for Marlborough as poor play gave the ball away and Bassett kicked through to score a converted try.

Marlborough’s Feiloaki Ngungutau was then sin-binned for a high tackle and although the match continued to be hard fought, there were no more scores until the 75th minute when Bassett claimed another converted try off the back of a lineout.

Two minutes later and with virtually the last play of the game, Bassett scored once more to wrap up a convincing win.

Elsewhere, Chippenham also took the bragging rights in a Wiltshire derby as they thrashed visiting Salisbury 60-22.

Chippenham started brightly and took the lead through an Al Mackenzie penalty before he then scored the first try of the game.

The hosts were also forced to do their fair share of defending, but soon extended their lead when Nick Hill slid over as Mackenzie’s conversion made it 17-0.

Chippenham kept their foot on the pedal and Hill was soon over the tryline again, followed shortly afterwards by Oli Alcorn to secure the bonus point.

With 10 minutes left of the half, Chippenham were not finished, and Louis Ayliffe ran in their fifth try, although Salisbury were able to hit back with a try of their own to make it 43-7 at the break.

The visitors struck first after the break, but Chippenham bounced right back as Matt Dickens scored a superb solo try.

An interception led to another Salisbury try, but Chippenham continued to play free-flowing rugby and Jacob Unwin and Ayliffe claimed further touchdowns to give the scoreline an emphatic feel.