Wootton Bassett beat Corsham 39-18 on Saturday to take a giant stride towards a Southern Counties South play-off place at the expense of Frome.

Bassett’s victory puts them two points clear of third-placed Frome, who lost 15-10 at Sherborne at the weekend.

And because of their superior points difference, a final-day win at mid-table Tadley on Saturday would secure Bassett second place and another shot at the play-offs.

It wasn’t long before Bassett opened the scoring at the weekend as a brilliant show of strength and pace saw young centre Dan McCarthy score an individual try from the halfway line.

Jon Clarke added the extras as Bassett stormed into a 7-0 lead.

Moments later Clarke added a penalty as the lead increased to 10-0.

Corsham scored a try of their own through Paul Clifford and Andy Williamson added the conversion and kicked a penalty to level things up at 10-10.

However, Alex Penny’s converted try from the base of a scrum put the home side back in the lead 17-10.

Grant Murdoch scored his second try in successive weeks as Bassett opened a healthy lead of 24-10 soon after the break.

With the next attack Clarke extended the lead to 27-10 as he slotted another simple penalty goal.

Prop Gary Williamson put the result beyond doubt minutes later as he managed to round off a typical forward’s try, and the conversion was made.

Corsham had a mini revival as they slotted another penalty and scored another unconverted try through Tom Knight before Mark Trowbridge touched down for Bassett.

Meanwhile, winger Rusty Orwin came off the bench to score on his debut as Corsham 2nd went down 22-10 to Sutton Benger in Dorset & Wilts Division One North. Luke Martin grabbed the other try.