Devizes RFC

A defeat in our second pre-season fixture, but lots of positives to take away!

Devizes made the two-hour journey up the A419 and Fosse Way to face an unfamiliar side (at least to the editor’s knowledge), whom we had not played up in Warwickshire.  The Saddlebacks travelled with a meagre squad of 19 which was 25 earlier in the week, but like a lot clubs, pre-season friendlies are a hard sell to players who are going to go the whole length of the season. Many local teams have had fixtures cancelled due to sides not being able to be fielded. Mixed in with summer holidays, weddings and even cinema dates (!) the 19 who did represent did a sterling job against a mid-table level 6 side, based on last year’s standings.

The Saddlebacks were delighted to field four new signings throughout the eighty minutes of action.  Centre, Alex Janes who was also our June trainer of the month;  whilst Ieaun Brown and Matt Loader at nine and ten respectively have joined from Swindon and made their first outings in the Black & White.  Ebot Buma has also recently moved to the area from South Africa and laced up his boots after a couple of years away from the game.

The first quarter was played at a frantic pace with the home side playing some good rugby.  Devizes were finding a bit of space out wide and threatened down the touchline.  But it was the home side who scored first after some neat offloading play and a well taken score to make it 7-0.

Devizes responded brilliantly with the forwards making some bullocking carries and with the scrum having some early dominance, penalties were conceded by the home side.  From a penalty, Loader kicked deep into Stratford territory and from the resulting lineout, the forwards got to work with a powerful maul.  Adaptable front row / back row forward, Will Hine, splintered off to dot down in the corner.  Unfortunately, Loader couldn’t quite add the extras, so it was 7-5.

Stratford then got their second score of the day, feeding off Devizes mistakes which were picked off ruthlessly to bring it to 12-5.  Then the home side added a third, again after some neat interplay from forwards and backs to bring it to 19-5.

Devizes were well in the game and moving into the second quarter, added their second and final try of the day.  Again, from a lineout, the forwards trundled up close to the try line and number eight, Rhys Harries was bundled over by Buma to score to make it 19-12 with Loader converting.

Despite Devizes looking threatening with some great work throughout the side, it was the home side who scored a telling fourth try after a misplaced pass was seized upon by an electric Stratford back to go over to make it 26-12.

Going into the third quarter a couple of knocks and interchanges from both sides, made it a scrappy affair, with the home side falling foul of the referee’s whistle, which enabled Devizes to shift down the field.  Despite some good opportunities deep in the Stratford twenty-two, unfortunately the home side’s scramble defence was excellent, and they forced the turnover.

The last quarter followed a similar theme, just with more handling errors and scrums which neither side could fully execute, largely due to fatigue and new combinations no doubt.  The second half therefore ended 0-0 after a high scoring first half.

1^st XV Player / Manager, Seb Hutchings said “That was a tough afternoon, but the lads dug incredibly well throughout, against a strong, physical outfit.  There was some great play out there and the new signings did incredibly well.  We’re looking forward to our final pre-season game at home against Gordon League and we hope we’ll be able to have a few guys back to bolster the ranks.  The coach trip home was particularly fun, and I think the boys are going to have a lot to enjoy this season!’