In this festive season of goodwill it was appropriate that Sunday's annual encounter of Saddleback on Saddleback ended with honours even.

Perhaps this also reflected two scratch teams and the fact that the line-up of each was only announced 10 minutes before kick off.

Much to the surprise of the players, positions were reversed so that threequarters assumed the role of forwards and vica versa.

This brought together, in a head on clash, winger Andy Webb and fly-half Gareth Jones who were opposing hookers.

Oranges and water were sacrificed for a round of port at half-time.

In fact the only performance of any significance came from Devizes club member and referee, Bill Gould , who brought some order to a game with the potential for utter chaos.

What the contest lacked in structure and fluency was more than made up by the humour and commitment from players, who haven't taken the field since the league victory over Tadley on December 11

The game evolved into a series of rucks and mauls, punctuated by numerous penalties. Defences were dominant. Rarely was any team able to occupy attacking positions long enough to expose defensive weaknesses.

The Chairman's XV, with more possession in the first half, provided most of the expansive three-quarter play, orchestrated by lock forward Gavin Curnow in his comeback game, masquerading as flyhalf.

More often than not the President's XV were reduced to testing fullback Taff Bayliss's ability to deal with a variety of attacking kicks. The humour this provided the crowd was proving too much for the President's men to resist.

Half time arrived, to the relief of spectators, without a score on the board

After the break the Chairman's XV used a strong following wind to get into the opposition 22.

Curnow, obviously fresh from his long lay-off, broke through several tackles to set up a ruck from which the renowned poacher, Andy Webb, emerged to score. Naturally the conversion was missed by the prop nominated to kick it.

It was 20 minutes before the President's pack rolled a maul downfield to allow ex Weston-super-Mare player, Martin Brimble to punch a hole in the Chairman's XV defence and touchdown to bring the scores level 5-5.

The President's XV went ahead when a wayward kick was caught by wily veteran Phil O'Shea. He executed a perfect scissors move to give Pete Barter enough room to outflank a stretched defence with a determined run.

Welsh Centre, Chris Billi, normally a hooker, failed to convert. He returned to his position alongside Charlie Rudler to form possibly the most robust centre pairing in Wiltshire.

Shortly before the final whistle Chris Jones broke from loose forward play on the halfway line, accelerated and linked with support players.

Mike McAleavey fed Julian Taylor who finished off this fine bit of opportunistic play with a try.

Naturally the conversion was missed and the game finished in a fitting draw, but the two teams continued to do battle in the bar afterwards.

First team manager Steve Fortune said the day reflected the excellent feeling in the club at the moment, and after winning their last six league games, the Saddlebacks were hoping to ride the wave of success for a little longer yet.

"Basically Sunday was to work off the old turkey and excess beer over the past few weeks, we weren't really looking to take much from it," he said.

"We were just keen to blow out the cobwebs and get ready for the two sessions this week and getting back into league action on Saturday."

With the tough trip to Dorchester this weekend Devizes have the chance to leapfrog the team directly above them on the Southern Counties South league table and complete a rare double over the Dorset side after defeating them earlier in the season.

After a walkover against Minety, the Saddlebacks are hoping fitness and cohesion has not been lost over the break.

"We're hoping they're in the same boat to tell the truth, it is a bit of a worry, but they will probably have some cogs to WD40 up as well."

Selection for this week will also be interesting with Tim Alchin back from Austria and Matthew Monkton and James Pople returning from injury.

Utility back Ryan Wallbridge had a run on Sunday but won't be available for selection having not fully overcome a knee injury.

Fortune put the recent run of success down to a better feeling in the club and thinks these could well be more to come.

"I certainly think there's more team spirit and passion, and it's becoming a balanced side which can gel together.

"I think we can get up and beat a few of the top teams like Frome and Bournemouth in the coming weeks and get up there into the promotion race."

While the first team are in Dorset, the thirds will take on Colerne at home in the league.