IN their first away game Devizes would have expected to easily beat a team that had been demoted from their League last season.

But Cooper Avon provided sterner opposition than expected until the final quarter of the game when they tired and the Saddlebacks stepped up the pace.

Fielding another untried three-quarter line but a more settled pack, Devizes won the early set pieces. Fly half Sean Sullivan spotted half a gap to score but failed to convert. This was a useful 5-0. Although they had opportunities Devizes failed to score for another 20 minutes, settling into a familiar pattern of conceding penalties and mishandling under pressure.

Tom Collins, who had a lively game throughout, ignited the game when he took a quick penalty. The ball was returned to Collins, who spun out of a tackle to go over. The conversion by Sean Sullivan moved the Saddlebacks into a 12 point lead.

Skipper James Gaiger, who had another effective game, covered back to halt a rare Cooper Avon attack and then supported a Devizes attack to score. With the conversion, by Sullivan, Devizes established a useful 19-0 lead.

On the stroke of half time Cooper Avon clawed back three points with a penalty.

Facing the wind, after the restart, Devizes were forced to keep the ball in the hand. Lock Gavin Curnow signalled this intention when he received a pass, ran 30 yards and passed inside. From an ensuing scrum Chris Maundrell used his strength to force his way over the line. and boost the lead to 24-3.

Newcomer Gareth Davies replaced Matt Monkton in the centre and immediately made an impression with some crunching tackles.

Collins spotted another opportunity from a short penalty feeding Maundrell to get a second try, converted by Sullivan.

It was followed by another from Collins after a very strong run from the Fijian wing Manu.

The Saddlebacks began to dictate the game and from a scrum under the posts Gaiger created the space for Collins to score again. Two more tries were added by winger Dave Sullivan and Darren Burbidge.

Devizes play their first League Game at Westbury on Saturday.

The club still needs a physio and anyone interested should contact secretary Nick Dark on 0777 9793057.