IN THE battle of the Vales in Dorset & Wilts One North, Avonvale came out on top 19-0 away at Pewsey Vale.

On a wet and cold day, Pewsey had first use of a strong wind and kept Avonvale pinned down in their own half for long periods.

The visitors kept them at bay and with five minutes of the half to go, a break from the 22 by Marcus Larbelestier took him through five defenders set up a breakout try which was finished off in style by Drew Retford, converted by Steve Grant.

Avonvale hooker John Keepen was sent to the sin-bin at the start of the second half but his team-mates withstood prodigious Pewsey pressure as the home team used their big forwards to hit big holes in the defence.

A yellow card to Pewsey number eight Olly Spence put the home forwards at a disadvantage and with 10 minutes to go, in their first foray into the home half, Avonvale fly-half Steve Grant sped towards the line and his offload allowed centre Ciaran O'Connor to score, converted by Grant.

Pewsey were then punished further from the last play of the game as a quickly taken tap penalty allowed prop Hayden Rogers to crash over to complete the scoring.