IF Devizes approached this contest with the same enthusiasm as they did their cheese and wine day on Sunday, Trowbridge perhaps wouldn't have achieved their first victory over the Saddlebacks in many years.

The home side were willing to do anything it took for victory, and in the end just wanted it more. Indecisive threequarter play and an unusually lacklustre performance by the Devizes pack reduced scoring opportunities but increased the vulnerability to the strong running Trowbridge backs.

Apart from a couple of darting runs by winger Julian Taylor Devizes were kept under pressure throughout the first quarter and were fortunate to concede only a penalty which was missed.

The only time Devizes came close to scoring in the first half was when flanker Mike Walsh took a ball on the burst from scrum-half Matt Monckton and scrambled within seven metres of the Trowbridge line before being pulled down. The home side replied to this by opening the scoring with a try soon after.

All of James Gaiger's efforts to generate forward momentum from number eight petered out through lack of close support. Even a kickable penalty was missed by usually reliable fly-half James Pople on the stroke of half time.

Shortly after the restart Devizes won a rare lineout to set up a drive followed by three scrums that reduced Trowbridge's resistance allowing hooker Chris Billi to dive over from close range and level the scores 5-5.

The Saddlebacks were further handicapped by the sinbinning and eventual sending off of full-back Andy Webb and Trowbridge exploited a weaker defence by scoring two more to sow up the game. Whilst the Devizes pack took several scrum balls against the head, a general lack of creative play must be a cause of some concern.

The seconds completed a miserable outing for the Saddlebacks, also going down to Trowbridge in their fixture. On a brighter note Ioan Beddoe's thirds caused the upset of the day in their Dorset and Wilts Two North match, by humbling promotion challengers Warminster with a fine 25 - 17 win at the Chivers Ground.

The Saddlebacks take on Sherborne in first grade this Saturday at home.