DEVIZES Old Boars over 40s rugby team emerged with two wins and a defeat from their Commonwealth Games adventure at Eccles RFC, Manchester, at the weekend (27 & 28 July).

A 20 strong squad from the Wiltshire club travelled to the north west to take part in the veterans tournament, staged as part of the 2002 Games' Spirit of Friendship Festival.

The Old Boars faced De La Salle in their opening pool game but went down 28-10 following a ferocious display from the Cheshire side.

But Devizes, who had travelled the furthest of all the sides to Eccles, put the town on the Commonwealth map in their second outing when they defeated Isle of Man outfit The Pacemakers 24-7.

The final game saw Devizes notch up their second success, defeating Egor rugby club 38-10 in the searing heat.

Although no medals were at stake for winning the tournament, Devizes' performances lifted them to the top of their pool and would have earned them the silver medal.

Each of the competing sides collected a commemorative plaque for taking part and Devizes man Rod Brown picked up the Trafford Park Award for the most industrious player of the day.

Brown benefited from the work of the experienced Tony Smith as he helped himself to a hat-trick of tournament tries.

Although the tournament was designed as a friendly affair, there were also casualties in the Devizes ranks. Rick Kibby suffered a rib injury, while leg injuries to Mark Hill and Martin Cross robbed the tourists of two of their most important players.

Youth rugby coaches Jim Lloyd, John Thompson, Pete Barter, Pete Bullock and Bill Gould all produced the goods together with current players Paul Dyton, Ian Cook, Alan Knight and Andy Webb.

Chris Garratt, Mick Knapp, Clive Meaney and Ian Goshawk also reminded the club's selectors of days gone by.

Club president Kibby said: "Everyone who went was very pleased. The spirit of Devizes Rugby Club shone through."