The Salisbury Festival was a tough, physical, affair for the Devizes U9 rugby squad.

They were placed in a very strong group which contained the eventual finalists and winners in Corsham and Salisbury A.

The first match of the festival against Corsham was a well balanced game with fine play, especially in defence, from both teams. Devizes applied good pressure and created excellent chances which they were just unable to convert.

The resulting 0-0 draw was respectable and fair, given the obvious equal abilities of the teams.

The second game against Wimbourne B was a scrappy affair but Devizes managed to maintain a grip of sorts. Alistair Broughton's first half try was answered by a breakaway from Wimbourne, but Devizes regained the initiative with an additional second try from Broughton in the second half, to win 2-1.

Devizes' final group game against Salisbury A, was, as it always is whenever these teams meet, a hard fought affair which Devizes lost three tries to nil.

The Salisbury team were well organised and effective but, nonetheless had to work hard to break down the Devizes team who battled hard throughout.

Sadly, given that Corsham had a marginally better points difference, Devizes just failed to qualify through to the to the semi finals.

Consequently the Devizes team moved through to the plate competition where they achieved a comfortable victory against Salisbury B, thanks to unanswered first and second half tries, again from Broughton.

In the final of the plate they were tested by a strong North Dorset team who put them under great pressure in the first half and lead 2-0 until Guy Davies scored an excellent sniping scrum half's try on the stroke of half time.

Devizes came out fighting in the second half and showed great character and passion to level the score at 2-2 thanks to a powerful charge from Alex Pattle.

With the scores level, the game moved into extra time and was to be settled by a golden try.

This deciding period was fiercely contested and could easily have gone either way, but North Dorset eventually managed to work the ball down the field to score the winning try.

Devizes' final tally of two wins, one draw and two losses was a solid first festival performance.

The entire team played with great spirit and commitment.

They battled hard throughout and, much to the delight of an appreciative crowd, displayed the potential, and a great competitive attitude that will undoubtedly stand them in good stead over the coming season.