FRESH from beating Wootton Bassett Devizes consolidated their league position with a comprehensive win against bottom side Westbury.

Using a strong swirling wind to get position Westbury wasted the chance to go ahead, in the first ten minutes, by missing two penalty kicks. After one of these scrum-half Tom Collins took a quick drop out, made ground, and kept play moving with a tap penalty to get within five metres of the Westbury line. Hooker Ian Carter unfortunately dropped the pass with the line at his mercy.

Further Westbury kicks were easily fielded by Devizes' defenders , it was therefore surprising when Westbury won a lineout in the Devizes 22 and peeled off round the unguarded front to register the first score in the game.

Collins made long weaving run and would have scored but for a foot in touch. He made another incisive break which led to a penalty that Sean O'Sullivan slotted over to put Devizes on the scoreboard.

The Saddlebacks might easily have scored again when winger Rich Cassleden outpaced all but the last defender.

With Mike Walsh commanding the lineouts and skipper, James Gaiger, harrying their threequarters Westbury were never allowed to settle into any rhythm. Charlie Rudler also posed problems for the Westbury defence with his bulldozing runs in broken play. Just before half time frustration spilled over into a feisty altercation. Both teams had a player sinbinned.

After the restart Devizes squandered good possession by trying to spin the ball wide in driving rain. Sensibly they reverted to keeping the ball close and kicking for territory.

Devizes' pack took control and forced two penalties in quick succession, both converted by O'Sullivan.

Gaiger got on the end of several forward drives to score in the corner. O'Sullivan converted to stretch the lead I6-5. Westbury were by now a spent force and O'Sullivan added another penalty to complete the scoring.

The game was a personal triumph for Collins, as he displayed his repertoire of skills. Skipper James Gaiger, nearly back to full fitness, played an influential role in defence and attack.