BASSETT'S title chances are all but gone after this defeat to an unpredictable Devizes at Ballard's Ash on Saturday.

Saddlebacks skipper Tom Reed said his side were keen to "put 20 points on Bassett" three weeks ago after a sound loss to now almost unbackable title favourites Bournemouth, and while his predicition didn't quite eventuate, he was more than happy with the result.

Watching from the sidelines nursing a hamstring injury suffered in the susprise Bath Combination Cup loss to Avon last week, Reed said the victory over Bassett was enormously satisfying, especially after the North Wiltshire club switched the venue from their boggy home ground of Stoneover Lane to Ballard's Ash.

"Wootton Bassett moved the goalposts somewhat by changing the venue to suit their open style of play. We saw the fact they wouldn't play us on their true home turf as a mark of respect and in many ways this respect was proven by our victory.

"We can't win the league, but the performance showed the strength of character the players have displayed all season after our slow start."

The old game of two halves adage certainly rang true as Bassett saw a 6-0 half-time lead evaporate in the spring sunshine.

Playing with a strong wind at their backs in the first half, the home side continually threatened the Devizes line but staunch defence, especially from centre Darren Burbidge, kept the blacks at bay.

Their pressure yielded two penalties from the boot of full-back Duncan Fulling but it was a poor return for all their possession and enterprise.

The second half saw Devizes playing with the wind and this enabled the visitors to pin Bassett in their own half.

Full back James Pople was having one of his on days and slotted three penalties to put Devizes 9-6 ahead with only five minutes remaining.

A last-minute drop goal from fly-half Alex Bennett sealed the win.

Hooker and captain Chris Billi led from the front once again with some hard hitting tackles and the back row of James Gaiger, Rich Gilbertson and Mike Walsh also excelled, Gaiger nearly scoring from a quickly taken penalty early in the second half.

The Devizes home crowd screamed for Midsomer murders and the forward pack went about that task with relish, flanker Mike McCrum planting the first score under the posts.

Tom Curley then showed his class with a delightful darting run from Devizes 22 and converted his own try, and further scores from Ian Carter, Tom Gould sealed the victory.

Captain Mark Gingham had some champagne moments as always and Mark 'over the' Hill showed exceptional brawn.