SUPERMARINE still face a wait to find out where they will be playing their rugby next season despite sealing second place in Dorset & Wilts 1 North with a 52-7 victory over Calne.
Marine went into their final game of the season knowing only a win coupled with defeat for Swindon 2nds at Pewsey Vale would allow them to leap-frog their local rivals.
Swindon ended up losing 27-12, and two tries apiece from Alex Robinson and Alan Minton led Marine to a superb victory.
But that only tells half the story, as despite securing their place as the leading first team in the league, Marine do still not know their fate.
Traditionally they would face a play-off with Dorset & Wilts 1 South counterparts Warminster to decide which team goes up to Southern Counties North, but there are also rumours of an RFU restructure which would see a new Super League created.
But Supermarine director of rugby John Godsell has heard mumblings that Warminster do not want to be promoted, which means his side could even be promoted automatically.
“We do not know what is going to happen to be honest,” Godsell said.
“We are still waiting to be told anything by the RFU, but I have heard rumours Warminster do not want to go up and so there will be no play-off.
“We would be comfortable with that as we are keen to progress to the next level, and we think we have things in place for that move already.
“We have much stronger development meaning we have players capable of stepping up in place of our regulars, which is important, and we are also looking into running a third team next year.
“We have great infrastructure which is also improving all the time, and we would look to learn from the likes of Marlborough and Melksham, who have gone up before and struggled, and consolidate a place in midtable.”
Speaking on the game itself, Godsell was pleased with the way his side performed, and was delighted they were able to overhaul Swindon 2nds.
“We told them to go out there as if they were playing Swindon, and they did,” he said.
“It was an exceptional game of rugby, and Calne were a much bigger side that the one we faced earlier in the season.
“They were strong up front and we struggled in the scrum a little, but we moved the ball wide very well and played an expansive game which was great to watch.
“I do not want to take anything away from Swindon as they had a great season, but for us to finish above them is a brilliant achievement.”
Elsewhere in the division, Minety finished the season with a comfortable 45-0 victory over Fairford, while Cricklade lost 24-22 at home to Chippenham 3rds in Dorset & Wilts 2 North.
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