RUGBY: Marlow go into the Christmas break on the back of a defeat after they went down 25-12 at Cleve.

The visitors began hesitantly, losing their first three lineouts, but Cleve were little better and neither side was able to put together much flowing rugby in the early stages.

Cleve finally got on the scoreboard just past the half-hour, their prop going over after a series of driving mauls. Ten minutes later another converted try gave Cleve a 12-0 half-time lead.

Marlow were not daunted though, and five minutes after the restart got themselves back in the match when Dino Grizeli made the break which led to Steve Backshall going over.

Grizeli himself should have added a second try shortly afterwards, but after chipping over his opposite number and racing past him, the wing was cynically cut down by the covering full-back. Marlow were awarded a penalty try but, critically, the referee took no action against the fullback.

Chris Biggs' conversion made it 12-12, but within minutes Marlow were forced back into their own 22 and after resisting the driving maul a handful of times their defence eventually buckled as Cleve powered over.

A conversion followed by a drop-goal established a ten-point gap, before another successful drop goal ruled out any prospects of a comeback.

Marlow return to action on January 7, when second-placed Bournemouth are the visitors.