MARLBOROUGH and Devizes’ derby clash in Southern Counties South was abandoned after just 25 minutes.

With the hosts leading 12-6, Devizes saw Sam Jones sustain a neck injury and an ambulance was called.

The ambulance took two hours to arrive at The Common, while there was no other pitch available’ meaning the referee had little choice but to abandoned the game.

Marlborough had seen Ben Fulton and Viliame Lotoahea put them into the lead, while Rory Brown kicked two penalties for Devizes.

A spokesman for Devizes said: “Sam is all well and was released from hospital later on Saturday evening – just a sore neck and no serious consequences.

“The match was agreed by both coaches to be abandoned due to the fading light and no opportunity to play on Marlborough’s 2nd XV pitch as it was not marked. “Therefore the match will need to be rescheduled for later on in the season. Thank you to Marlborough RFC and the speedy response of the Ambulance services – thankfully this was not a serious injury.”

Elsewhere, Corsham edged a difficult battle at Swanage and Wareham 22-21.

The visitors went over for four tries through Andy Williamson, Harry Beazer, Robbie Robinson and Hamish Milner, with Andy Williamson managing to add the extras to one of them.

Bottom side Swanage were able to set up a nervy finale to the match with two converted tries late on.

Corsham first-team coach Tim Draper said: “We are delighted with the result because the weather made it difficult to get any continuity and the game was very stop-start.

“We scored four good tries but, generally, it was a mixed performance.

“It was disappointing that we switched off in the last 10 minutes to let Swanage in for two late tries but they showed great spirit to keep attacking when the game seemed out of reach for them.”