Devizes completed a league double over their Wiltshire neighbours to consolidate their position in the top half of the table, and now lie alone in fifth position, six points off leaders Frome and Wootton Bassett.

Bradford adapted better to the cold wet conditions and matched Devizes in every phase of the game except in the scrums, where they were subjected to tremendous pressure from the Devizes power pack, bolstered by the inclusion of second row Den Leighfield.

Accurate tactical kicking by Bradford's fly-half frustrated many attempts by Devizes to gain momentum and failure to retain the ball compounded the Saddleback's inability to turn possession into points.

Bradford snatched an early lead when a Devizes clearing kick was charged down and pounced on.

Although Devizes came close to scoring on several occasions with runs from Paul Dyton and Darren Burbidge, it was another 20 minutes before they troubled the scoreboard attendant.

From a scrum near the Bradford 22, fly-half James Pople's deft kick ahead was caught first bounce by hooker Chris Billi who charged over for his team's first five pointer. At 7-5 Devizes were back in the game.

Two scrums in the second half changed the whole profile of the game.

Bradford were driven back several metres making it easy for number eight James Gaiger to pick up and touch down twice. Two very good conversions by Pople stretched the lead to 19-7 and put the issue beyond doubt, even though replacement flanker Stuart Walmsley was sin binned for a late tackle with eight minutes to play.

Devizes also had six tries disallowed, two in the first half and four in the second, for either double movements or simply being unable to ground the ball due to determined defence or the referee being unsighted.

Devizes face a tough trip to nearest rivals Trowbridge on Saturday.

Wootton Bassett 3rd 8

Devizes 3rd 10

FANTASTIC scrambling defence won the match for Devizes after captain Ioan Beddoe scored the opener in the first half, converted by Mike Bates.

Bassett scored one of their own, but a Bates penalty made it 10-5 at oranges.

As the weather worsened, so did the rugby and a Bassett penalty was the only score in a second half where they dominated possession but were hald at bay by some inspiring Saddleback tackling, especially by Steve Miles.