DEVIZES maintained their 100 per cent start to the Southern Counties South season with a 26-15 bonus-point victory at home to Frome.

The Saddlebacks started promisingly and ran in two quickfire tries through Rory Brown and Sam Jones, both converted by skipper Andy Thompson.

The hosts had further opportunities to extend their lead but those went begging and a converted Frome touchdown made the score 14-7 at half-time.

Devizes were much improved as the second period got under way and Jones sprinted over for his second try of the day, with Thompson adding the extras.

Frome cut the gap with a penalty and they then capitalised while Josh Lewis was in the sin-bin to get a second try.

However, Devizes refused to surrender and Brown matched Jones’ efforts with a second try of his own to put the result beyond doubt.

First XV manager Matty Holloran said: “It’s been a very tough week at the club with two VPs and long standing club members sadly passing away, so the emotion at the club at the moment is very high.

“We know we needed to put in a solid performance against Frome but they managed to get us into an arm wrestle and we played the game at their level.

“We are happy with the win but we need to be better and as a group of players we know that. All focus will now turn to Marlborough in the Dorset & Wilts 1st XV Cup semi-final on Saturday.”