DEVIZES returned home with three points from a hard-fought South West One East battle in Berkshire.

Their first-half display was by far the worst of the season as the home side got their rewards with two unconverted tries from winger Jordan Gomez and Mike MacNaughton.

Andrew Tweedie added a further penalty to put the home side into a commanding 13-0 lead.

Devizes responded towards the end of the half though with a try from Julian Taylor, his sixth of the campaign but Andy Thompson could not convert and going into the break 13-5 down, Devizes had it all to do.

A half time dressing-down from head coach John Kimberley had the desired effect and, from the off, captain Tom Collins scored a try from close range after some good surges from the pack.

Reading stepped it up and after a number of infringements, added a further four penalties from Tweedie to push into a 25-10 lead.

Devizes responded well and were rewarded with Jake Richardson’s third try of the season.

Thompson further reduced the deficit with a well taken penalty to make it 25-18.

With time running out, Devizes threw everything at Reading and were rewarded as centre Mark Carter sprinted clear only to be high tackled by Gomez.

Advantage was played and replacement prop Toby Randall bundled the ball over the line.

Thompson knocked over the conversion, amid confusion between Reading and the referee, who had believed the try had still left Devizes trailing 25-20, rather than 25-23.

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