Having run league leaders Frome close last week and beaten Devizes earlier in the season, Sherborne arrived at the Chivers ground with high hopes of a repeat victory.

For Devizes there were many absentees, mostly enforced by injuries in a bruising game with Trowbridge the previous Saturday, most notably number eight James Gaiger, second row Dan Leighfield and utility back Matt Monckton.

This added to Sherborne's optimism, but they hadn't reckoned on the positive contributions made by the Saddleback replacements or the pragmatic resilience of a team determined to win, however inelegant. the visitors left deflated and pointless.

Long serving prop Mark Stowell, joined Chris Billi and Charlie Rudler in a front row that shunted and swivelled the Sherborne trio. Seasoned campaigner Jason Giddings renewed his partnership with lock Tim Alchin and, along with flanker Mike Walsh, dominated the line-out.

In broken play Sherborne were further disrupted by the strong tackling and charging runs of number eight Taff Bayliss and skipper Tom Reed.

Devizes threequarters were happy to play second fiddle to to the pack, although Martin Brimble and Jonathan Beddow would have relished the chance to show their pace.

It was Sherborne who started in menacing fashion, capitalising on their opponents' handling errors and infingements to score 14 points in as many minutes through number eight Richard Nias and John Bolwell, a lead they held until halftime.

Even before this juncture, the Devizes pack were getting a grip on the game, denying Sherborne possession and forcing them to concede penalties.

Unfortunately, kicker Andy Webb was off the mark in the first 40 minutes and missed three kickable penalties that would have reduced the deficit.

After the restart Devizes rose to the challenge and scored three tries in quick succession. Prop, Charlie Rudler, began the fightback when he received the ball 15 metres from the Sherborne line. As he accelerated defenders appeared to back off to open up a channel of opportunity, through which Rudler strode imperiously to touch down. Andy Webb converted to pull Devizes back to I4-7.

Within minutes Mark Stowell finished off a driving maul to further close the gap and then debutante Martin Brimble scored from a ball that was made available from another line-out surge. Although the conversion failed Devizes nudged ahead I7-14, just reward for their efforts. Tension built up in the last 10 minutes. Sherborne were always capable of scoring from any position on the field.

It looked ominous when they levelled the scores with a penalty but justice was seen to be done in the last minute with a penalty to Devizes.

Ex marine, Andy Webb, having adjusted his radar, was equal to the pressure and slotted the ball through to give Devizes a well deserved three point win and a valuable two points.

The only hiccup of the occasion occurred when the hot showers failed. Fortunately, APT electrics, who had sponsored the day, were there in force to remedy the situation.

Swindon 3rd 17 Devizes 3rd 7

The Saddlebacks lost this match up front, outmuscled and enthused in the first half. They improved with a try to Matt Radbourne but just couldn't manage to convert dominance to points.