CORSHAM moved two points ahead of their Wiltshire rivals in the Southern Counties South league table after a dominant first half at Lacock Road on Saturday 17 November.

The visitors had no answer to Corsham's workmanlike display and trailed 18-0 before scoring two consolation tries.

The hosts went ahead through a Rory Auld penalty and Tom Sandell quickly increased his side's advantage with an unconverted try.

Some fragile defending and misdirected kicking dogged the visitors in the opening period and they allowed their hosts to move further in front thanks to a Roy Hewett score and five further points from the boot of Auld.

Devizes grabbed a lifeline moments before half time when Tim Alchin forced his way over to reduce Corsham's interval lead.

The return from injury of skipper James Gaiger boosted Devizes after the break and they produced a much-improved display in the second half.

The pack responded by driving Corsham back 50 yards and only a dropped pass prevented a score.

The forward assault continued and the visitors were rewarded when Charlie Rudler scored to cut the Corsham lead to eight points.

Failure to convert meant Devizes were still two scores behind and, despite threatening runs from Richard Slater and James Booth, the home defence held firm to ensure victory.