Beddoe's breaker (From The Wiltshire Gazette and Herald)

Beddoe's breaker

DEVIZES won the opening day battle of Wiltshire in Southern Counties South as Neil McCarthy's first competitive match in charge of Wootton Bassett ended in a 15-8 home defeat.

Both clubs were putting their new coaching regimes to the test and it was the visiting Saddlebacks who came out on top, pulling away after the scores were locked at 8-8 at half-time.

Devizes were first on the scoreboard as Mike Walsh ploughed over from a five-metre lineout.

But home youngster Dan David, playing at fly-half reduced arrears with a penalty.

Jon Beddoe and flanker Jamie Little went close for the visitors, who finally stretched their lead as James Pople booted a penalty.

But a fine Bassett move allowed wing Mark Trowbridge to hit the line and dive over in the corner to even things up at the break.

After half-time, both sides missed penalites and the nerves increased with the game in its final 20 minutes

But Devizes delivered the killer blow when they ran a penalty and Beddoe scored wide out.

Fly-half Alex Bennett compounded Bassett's pain by slotting the conversion.

n SWINDON made a superb start to life back in Southern Counties North, clinching a 38-13 win at Chipping Norton.

The home side were the only team to beat Swindon last year, as John Brown's men clinched the Berks, Bucks & Oxon Premier title.

But they were well beaten this time, Neil Maycock's try, penalty and five conversions bringing him a personal haul of 18 points.

Youngster Tom Mannion grabbed a brace, with new skipper Scott Chapman and Nick Warren also touching down.