FIRST-TEAM boss Stuart Haddon saluted the Saddlebacks as they broke their away duck this season against a side that were two divisions higher last term Luke Rapson, Chris Barter and Moses Navunisaravi touched down for the promoted visitors, who went ninth with their third win of the campaign.

Hadden said: “I am so proud of the commitment and effort that everyone, including the supporters, put in on Saturday.

“This is a fantastic result and will hopefully now kick-start our season, as we have shown we can compete with the teams in this league.’’

The Saddlebacks were forced into a front row reshuffle prior to the match, Seb Hutchings stepping in at hooker, with Toby Randall returning at tighthead prop and Chris Lewis at loosehead.

Despite a confident start on their rivals’ 3G pitch, Devizes fell behind when home captain and wing Simon Cripps crossed in the corner for an unconverted try.

The visitors then lost flanker Jake Richardson to the sin-bin after pulling down a lineout jumper but, despite a penalty miss by Andy Thompson, they recovered well and levelled when skipper and scrum-half Tom Collins chipped over the defence for Luke Rapson to touch down.

The back row of Julian Taylor, Craig Bryant and Richardson continued to cause problems for the home side and Thompson’s penalty nudged Devizes ahead.

Maidenhead prop Mike Parrott bundled over from close range before the break but superb tactical kicking by Rapson, Thompson and centres Chris Holloran and Rory Brown was a feature of Devizes’ excellent second half.

Richardson drew his man to send Chris Barter over to restore their lead before Moses Navunisaravi, who replaced Bryant, powered over for his first try for the club.

With Maidenhead a man down, Devizes finished stronger despite a home penalty reducing the deficit.

Brown and Thompson landed kicks and, the game ended when Maidenhead back Greg Jackson was knocked unconscious, although he was later released from hospital.

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