CORSHAM experienced a bittersweet start to the new season.

The firsts lost the opening encounter of their Southern Counties South return 24-10 to St Ivel Barbarians and lost new recruit Andy Williamson with a serious knee injury. But the consolation saw theclub field a third team for the first time in more than 15 years.

The injury to former Chippenham fly-half Williamson turned the match at Yeovil.

He had a hand in helping the visitors to a 10-5 interval lead, converting a Rory Auld try and adding a drop-goal. But misfortune struck in the 50th minute when his knee twisted badly and was later diagnosed as torn medial ligaments.

Corsham took time to recover, but their defence held firm until a try from George Greenaway levelled the scores late on.

The visitors certainly deserved something from the encounter but it was not to be and a try in the last minute and another in injury time, both converted, stole victory for the home side and gave them something of a flattering result.

As for Williamson, a further visit to a specialist will determine the extent of the damage, but the club can expect a minimum six to eight-week lay-off.

Corsham's third string made their return bow at Lacock Road with a 36-0 victory over their Devizes counterparts, who were enjoying a rest week in Dorset and Wilts Division Three North.

New man Aide Mills produced a man-of-the-match performance, while also making their full debuts for Corsham were fly-half Paul Clifford, Matt Murphy, Chris Crook and Steve Jones.

After an even and injury-strewn first 20 minutes - in which Matt Johnson sprained an ankle and Clifford sustained a cut eye - Corshamtook the lead with a try from Bryn Brockhurst.

Another try from winger Mills, converted by skipper Steve Tye, gave the home side a 12-0 lead at the break.

A depleted Devizes outfit, bolstered by a number of home players as injuries mounted, battled gamely.

But Corsham eventually pulled away with further tries from Mills, Nathan Hand, Craig Avent and Gary Ings, who impressed at scrum-half, and two further conversions from Tye.

Corsham's second team were handed a walkover win in Dorset & Wilts Division Two North when Pewsey Vale were forced to call off their home game at midday.