DEVIZES warmed up for the end-of-season game on Saturday 26 April against local Army side the Rifles in unusual fashion as they attempted to win a tug-of-war with a tractor.

Local firm Lister Wilder lent the club a caterpillar tractor in order to carry out work on their new second team pitch at London Road.

The tractor will primarily be used to draw a mole plough, but won the mis-matched tug-of-war on Saturday as Devizes players failed to move it.

Skipper James Gaiger said: "It is a massive thing and we couldn't move it. It was just a bit of fun and Lister Wilder were keen to show how powerful the tractor is by making us look weak."

With the aid of grants already from the Rugby Football Foundation and Kennet District Council, Devizes hope their second pitch will be available in the autumn.

Said Gaiger: "We are doing more to the first team pitch to make it one of the best around, but the second team pitch needs a few things to be up-and-running for September.

"Having it will be a great bonus for the club. It will also be great for the juniors and will mean we will be able to stage more home matches."

Several of the Army side's Fijian players had turned out for the Saddlebacks throughout the season, and it gave the hosts an opportunity to field players from all three senior sides and to say farewell to their American winger Drew Johnson, who is returning home.

In the early exchanges, the Rifles impressed with their speed of recycling the ball and fluent passing.

Against the run of play a speculative defensive kick from Drew Johnson was booted on by Darren Burbidge into Rifles territory where Devizes were awarded a penalty.

Quicksilver scrum half Tom Kerley took a quick tap and spotted a gap to score under the posts. Andy Webb's conversion posted a seven-point lead.

Within minutes Devizes set up a sweeping attack culminating in a log lateral pass by Gareth Jones creating space for winger Liam Young to score.

A ten-point deficit temporarily knocked the Rifles out of their stride. Jason Giddings dominated the lineouts and the Devizes scummaging restricted Rifles possession.

The Rifles registered their first score when winger, Sam, squeezed over in the corner. This was cancelled out by Jason Giddings when he got on the end of a slick passing move. Kerley converted the try to put the Saddlebacks 12 points ahead. They held this lead up to the interval.

Devizes made several team changes at half time which tended to weaken their set play strength. The Rifles took advantage to score twice in quick succession to draw level.

The Saddlebacks regained the lead after several rucks sucked in the Rifles defence and allowed Darren Burbidge to jink over in the corner.

This was followed by a strong run from winger, Lee Wells, taking play into the Rifles 22 and winning a scrum. A miss-move gave Wells a chance to accelerate and score and unconverted try.

With greater possession the free running Rifles team upped the pace and severely tested Devizes defence. They went ahead and then sealed victory with a final try by Waaqua.