BY half-time Devizes had established a 29-5 lead and looked as if they were heading for 50 points but Salisbury came back strongly ater the break.

Devizes took the lead on 15 minutes when debutant Dan Cave set Mike McCrum on his way to score under the posts. Alex Bennett converted.

Scrum half Tom Collins broke soon after abnd after he was tackled the ball found its way to Mike Walsh, his 40 metre run to the line was too quick for the defence.

Devizes were 17-0 up when Ian Carter charged for the line. He was brought down a couple of metres from the line but slipped the ball to Ed Smith to score.

The home side's dominateion was complete when Bennet broke up a Salisbury attack and sent Darren Burbidge on a 60 metre run past the disorganised visitors' defence.

Then Devizes relaxed and allowed Salisbury to score an opportunist try.

Back came Devizes to add another try from Mike Thomas, who took a short ball from Bennett to surge through the Salisbury defence.

Salisbury changed their game plan in the second half and used their forwards to greater effect. Devizes were on the backfoot for long periods relentlessly tackling and scrapping for the ball.

They eventually succumbed to the driving power of Salisbury pack who touched down for a converted try and at 29-12 a comeback was not impossible.

Salisbury completed the scoring when they beat a retreating Devizes defence to the touchdown from a speculative kick ahead.