DEVIZES took a firm hold of top spot in the Davis Wood League Central One division as they defeated third-placed Old Bristolians 4-3 and closest challenges Yeovil & Sherborne lost.

But it needed a comeback triumph from the Wiltshire men as Bristolians dominated the early phases and deservedly opened the scoring on the counter attack.

Devizes remained sloppy in all aspects of the game and within 25 minutes, Bristolians had made it 3-0.

The home side then made an important tactical change and it paid off as Ollie Smith opened their account as he flicked past the keeper from a narrow angle.

Tom Alsop added another soon after as he deflected a Josh Bond shot.

This shifted the momentum and Devizes won a penalty corner at half time which Alsop converted.

Alsop completed his hat trick in the second half from another penalty corner and Devizes hung on.

In the same division, Chippenham broke their away duck for the season with a 4-1 triumph at Team Bath Buccs D.

They established a 2-0 lead at half time, Selwyn Widger smashing home Simon Walker’s pass before Widger set up Oliver Whitaker for the second.

The students hit back after half time but Mark Knight put away a short-corner to restore the two goals advantage.

Kieran Pidgeon’s quickly-taken free hit allowed captain Andy Edwards to wrap up the victory.

Marlborough gave themselves a much-needed confidence boost in Conference North as they defeated fellow strugglers Bridgend 2-1 The home side dominated the first half and, but for the brilliance of the Bridgend goalkeeper, they would have seized the lead.

The breakthrough came when captain Rich Holman thundered in a shot from a short corner routine.

The second half began in much the same fashion as and the Marlborough lead was soon doubled after a tremendous ball in to the D from James Richardson found a deflection before burrowing in to the top right hand corner.

Looking in full control of the game Marlborough stayed strong until Bridgend scored a deflected goal of their own making the last minutes a nervy affair,

Wootton Bassett stayed in control at the top of East Central One by defeating their own second team 8-1.

There were braces from Mark Turner led the scoring with a hat-trick, Jack Twine scoring twice and Kyle Barnes, Mark Skivington and Tom Ponting also netting.

Wootton Bassett B lost 4-2 to Yate B in East Central Two, despite goals from Craig McLauchlin and James Gregory.

Devizes A slipped off the top of the table as they lost 4-2 at West Wilts D, despite goals from Sam Hodge and Jacob Stoner.

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