THIS game was arranged after Stothert and Pitt had pulled out of the scheduled games against Devizes 2nd and 3rd.

It is probably just a coincidence but Devizes are due to meet them in the final of Bath Combination Plate at the Bath Rec tonight.

In a hugely enjoyable but fiercely contested game the 2nds proved too powerful for the resilient 3rds.

The 2nds dominated possession early on and winger Nick Munion scored after six minutes.

Skipper Andy Webb made several incisive runs before scrum-half Matt Monkton started a blind side attack, took a return pass and darted over for a try in the corner. Webb converted to put the 2nds 12 points ahead in as many minutes.

It was 25 minutes before the 3rds got into the opposition 22, only for the 2nds to recover the ball, race upfield and score a pushover try in the corner. Webb's superb conversion gave the 2nds a 19-0 lead at half-time. Soon after the restart the 3rds succumbed to another pushover try claimed by Monkton.

Whenever the 3rds got into strike positions they invariably lost the ball. In contrast the 2nds made the most of their opportunities.

Webb emphasised this when he chose to ignore a three-man overlap by stepping inside the defensive cover to score and convert to bring the score to 31-0.

A sustained period of pressure by the 3rds was rewarded when Mike Walsh broke from a maul to score their first points. Andy Thompson converted.

On the stroke of full time Johan Beddow scored his second try when the 2nds pack drove over the line.

Devizes are heading behind the iron curtain on a six-day tour to Estonia tomorrow. Devizes' 36-strong party of seniors and veterans will play other English teams in a ten-a-side tournament as well as local sides.