DEVIZES ended their horror run of six matches without a win to grab a priceless 25-14 Southern Counties South derby win over neighbours Wootton Bassett and pull them away from the drop zone.

The home forwards laid the foundations for victory, although both sides produced some excellent rugby.

Injury-hit Bassett, fielding back row Paul Hine on the wing, started slowly and were a try down in two minutes.

Devizes used the blindside well and scored in the corner through flanker Mike McCrum off hooker Ian Carter's pass.

The visitors then woke up and had a lengthy spell of pressure and several try-scoring opportunities.

Devizes held out though, conceding penalties or by seeing Bassett's final passes going astray time and again.

The visitors clawed their way back into the game however, with three well-struck penalties by centre Duncan Fulling.

But they also lost fly-half Pete Thornton with an arm injury and Devizes capitalised as prop Steve Rose sent Darren Burbidge away for their second try.

The second period started well for the visitors, with Mike Dixon giving a well-timed pass to put Alex Norcross over in the corner.

This was the signal for Devizes to re-organise and their substitutions made an impact.

A break from a lineout produced the next score for James Gaiger, but the game-breaker came as No 8 Taff Davies took the ball powered over the line.

Bassett vainly tried to run every possession but the game closed when Devizes finally found space wide out and picked up a long loose pass.

They then outstripped the cover from 25 metres out and young full-back, Ed Smith, who had a sound all-round game, took a perfectly timed pass from Mike Thomas to complete the scoring.