Rugby: Not the greatest preparation for a must win match, even before the 60 mile trek west Devizes were rocked by the late call off of regular centre Dan Mayland whose grandfather had died overnight. Added to the earlier loss of another player that morning they were down to just one replacement and once again veteran coach Ian Diddams was pressed onto the bench. The unhelpful build-up was further compounded by the news that they were to be docked two points for fielding an unregistered player at the first match of the season. As the player in question had been a regular second team player for several seasons the punishment obviously felt harsh albeit technically justified.

Given the circumstances it was encouraging that the side started strongly and shared the honours for the first quarter of the game; in fact it was Devizes who nearly broke the impasse when on 20 minutes wing, Halloran, sprinted 50 metres before being bundled into touch short of the line. The disappointment was closely followed by a period of intense pressure by Ivel who took good advantage of the problems that Devizes were experiencing in the tight. The Devizes inability to cope with boring by the Ivel loose-head, which was missed by the referee, meant that possession at the scrum was always scrappy and were it not for some excellent clearing up by number 8, Damon Murphy, things could have been far worse. But it was their problems with over-throwing in the lineout that eventually led to stolen possession, a straightforward backline move and a simple Ivel try. After the setback Devizes rallied well and were the better team for the remainder of the half and into injury time were rewarded by a drop goal by Andy Thompson to leave the half time score tantalizingly close at 5 - 3.

The start of the second half was marked by the debut of tight-head Nick Farrant who having just passed his eighteenth birthday has become eligible to play senior level front row. Given the first half scrummage problems it was gratifying that he managed to hold his own against a powerful opponent.

Hopes that Devizes could turn the game round in the second half were dashed after only six minutes as Ivel set up a powerful rolling maul to crash over near the posts providing a simple conversion and a nine point lead. Needing to score twice Devizes responded well and put considerable pressure on Ivel but were unable to penetrate a very solid defence. As two determined sides battled to impose themselves this period of the game became bad tempered and the beleaguered referee struggled to cope, issuing several warnings for fighting.

With full time looming Devizes started to chase the game and following two ill-advised and clumsy passes, handed over possession to a grateful Ivel wing who was able to stride over unopposed for the simplest of tries which was again easily converted. It was scant compensation when only two minutes later following a quick penalty Nick Farrant and Ian Diddams bundled Tom Reed over the line to make the touchdown.

After his ten minute cameo appearance at the end of the game Coach Ian Diddams commented "We are improving week on week. Individual fitness is still an issue and some players need to take a good long hard look at themselves and what they are doing outside of training. Still far too many basic errors and a failure to play to the game plan are putting us under pressure. Positives from today are once again the much improved team spirit and respect, and the excellent play of 1st XV debutants, Ian Brewett in particular."

Team: Plank (Diddams 70 mins), Murdoch, Miles (Farrant 40 mins), Ryan, Brewett, Reed, Little J, Murphey, Monckton, Thompson, Little N, Hurcombe, Padowski, Halloran, Taylor