DEVIZES joined Wiltshire neighbours Malmesbury in the Gloucester and Wiltshire League Division One relegation zone after a 57-run loss at fellow strugglers Apperley on Saturday.

Having won the toss, Devizes skipper Andy Hodder invited Apperley to bat on a good wicket and the hosts made a decent start, with McPherson and Leeke both batting sensibly.

The visitors lost opening bowlers Ashford-Browne and Sage in their second and fourth overs respectively due to injury, although the latter did manage to claim the wicket of Leeke.

Australian Groover briefly threatened to take the Davizes attack apart, but was dismissed for 17 after hammering two fours and a six.

Tight bowling from Alex Muse, who took two wickets for 14 runs, Hodder and Shaun Hilliard helped dismiss the home side for 166 from 44 overs.

Muse also produced a fine fielding display and contributed towards three run outs.

In reply, Devizes were soon in trouble after losing Hodder, Mark Colyer and Tadman early on.

With the score on 23 for four, Smith then provided stubborn resistance as he scored 11 after batting for an hour.

The tail mustered more runs than the recognised batsmen in the Devizes line-up, with Tim Sage top scoring on 27. Will Muse, with 11, and an unbeaten 12 from Mark Sinclair also produced battling displays for the visitors, who were dismissed for 109.