Devizes RFC

Six try to two win over Wiltshire rivals sees Saddlebacks make a positive start to pre season

Devizes travelled to Salisbury, with the players looking to impress new Head Coach, Neil Loader in their first pre season outing.  Devizes travelled with a squad of nineteen, with a fair few absentees due to August holidays.  The squad applied themselves incredibly well throughout and were bolstered by returning player Martin Bills, Will Hine coming back after being plagued by long term injuries and new recruit, Jake Hancock.

With the backline having a bit of a makeshift look to it, with usual back rower, Craig Bryant donning the Tom Collins ‘21’ shirt at scrum half, and Scotty Martin plying his trade at inside centre, all in attendance were curious as to how the eighty minutes would play out.

Devizes dominated the first half, racing into a 12-0 lead, with the rolling maul making significant inroads into the Salisbury defence.  The first score was a classic Kieran Hiscock try from a rolling maul from several metres out.  Morgan Wellard, deputising at fly half kicked the extras.  The second, came from scrum half Bryant, who used all of his forwarding nous to join the maul and dot down.

Salisbury then had a good period of possession, but some ferocious Saddleback defence kept out the home side.  Winning the breakdown battle, Devizes continued to probe deep in Salisbury territory and it was loosehead prop, Sam Holloway, who bundled over for the third score of the day, to make it 17-0.

Salisbury responded with a try of their own, in their only foray into the Devizes twenty two to reduce the deficit to 17-5. 

The second period saw Devizes continue with some great work across the team and after a few phases close to the line, Kieran Hiscock bagged his second of the day with a well taken score to make it 22-5.

Devizes continued in the ascendancy, and when a Wellard kick wasn’t dealt with by Salisbury, the ball bounced into the arms of replacement centre, Leighton Osborne, who offloaded to the supporting and ubiquitous Henry Sheppard who then played in Player of the Match, Arthur Rider to dot down for the best score of the day. Wellard converted making it 29-5.

Salisbury responded well, when their number eight took advantage of some tired defending from Devizes to make it 29-12. Devizes got the final score of the day though as some great work by winger Sam Paget forced Salisbury into making an error and a loose ball five metres out was pounced on by Holloway, who bundled over for his second to make it 34-12.

The final ten minutes or so, saw Salisbury have their best period of the game, with Devizes conceding several penalties, which saw Will Hine sent to the sin bin.  The Devizes defence held firm though to see out the game and seal a positive win.

Lots to work on, but some positives throughout.  Thanks to Salisbury for the blowout, and good luck in the season ahead. 

Devizes continue their pre season this week with training on Tuesday and Thursday from 6.45-8.30pm.  We are always looking for new recruits and are a friendly club, so come on join us and give it a go.

Devizes squad:

1.Sam Holloway 2. Will Hine 3. Kieran Hiscock 4. Martin Bills 5. Lewis Paget (c) 6. Henry May 7. Arthur Rider 8. Henry Sheppard 9. Craig Bryant 10. Morgan Wellard 11. James Oakes 12. Scott Martin 13. Maciu Rabeta 14. Sam Paget 15. Jordy Walker 16. Liam Juggins 17. Jake Hancock 18. Alex Daines 19. Leighton Osborne

Devizes try scorers:

Kieran Hiscock x 2

Sam Holloway x 2

Craig Bryant x 1 

Arthur Rider x 1

Conversions:

Morgan Wellard x 2

Player of the Match:

Arthur Rider