MELKSHAM held onto third place in the Dorset & Wilts One North table with a thumping 57-0 win away at Pewsey Vale.

Both teams took time to settle into the game, with Vale failing to convert an early penalty into points.

That allowed Melksham to strike first as Ryan Brown’s pick-and-go saw him drive over the line as Callum Hurn added the extras.

Just 10 minutes later, Jake Spooner got over the whitewash before debutant Jamie Shipman ran in for his first try of the day.

Melksham were now attacking from all angles and Alex Cox showed strength and power to touch down, taking the half-time score to 24-0.

The visitors resumed their momentum after the restart and Harry Clarke crossed the line to add to the score.

Shipman then scored his second try out wide before Luke Cador sublimely collected his own kick ahead to score.

Captain Phil Stone then side-stepped his way through traffic to offload to Shipman to finish in the corner to round off his hat-trick.

Melksham's final try came from Cador after an elusive run for his brace, with Hurn adding his sixth conversion of the game to round off the scoring.

Elsewhere, Warminster also ran in a half-century of points, triumphing 50-22 away at Chippenham 2nd.

Chippenham were quicker out of the blocks and put the Amber and Blues under pressure without really threatening the tryline as Luke Windsor made a number of solid tackles.

Against the run of play, Warminster took the lead with their first attack as the ball found its way to Dan McIntyre, who had been set up by an excellent clean break by Steve Matthews. Jason Sprangle was unable to add the extras from out wide.

The try should have been the catalyst for the Amber and Blues to kick on, but silly errors and indiscipline cost them as Chippenham hit back with a try of their own.

Warminster were dominant in the scrums and skipper Steve Rowbotham got his side's second try after they were finally able to go through a number of phases. Sprangle's conversion made the score 12-7 at half-time.

Following a few choice words by coach Rob Rowbotham, the second half was a much different story for Warminster.

Straight from the kick-off, McIntyre grabbed his second try after good hands along the back-line.

Soon afterwards, Lachie Stuart got himself on the scoresheet before Sprangle then darted in for two tries in quick succession.

Chippenham never gave up and added two tries of their own, but Warminster finished the match strongly to add a further brace of tries through Tom Evans and Reid Curtis.

Although the hosts scored a fourth and bonus-point try too, Warminster were worthy winners.