RUGBY: Wimborne 10 Devizes 20 (From The Wiltshire Gazette and Herald)

RUGBY: Wimborne 10 Devizes 20

5:30pm Tuesday 11th September 2012 in Sport

DEVIZES picked a welcome away win as they kicked off their Southern Counties South campaign in Dorset.

In a scrappy first half, large, physical Wimborne pack attempted to assert their dominance, but were held up by strong Saddlebacks defence.

Led by the back row of Julian Taylor, Craig Bryant and James Gaiger, Devizes earned a penalty that was converted by Andy Thompson to give his side a narrow half-time lead, despite losing Taylor to the sin-bin late on.

Wimborne levelled early in the second period with a penalty of their own but the visitors increased the tempo and second row Damon Murphy rumbled over the line from close range, Thompson converting.

Devizes then demolished the Wimborne scrum close the the line and were unfortunate not to be awarded a penalty try.

But they extended their lead with 20 minutes to go, when Jorge Wadman crossed for a well-taken score, Thompson again adding the extras.

Wimborne kept themselves within range with the first try of the game, but Devizes gained territory and Thompson dropped a goal to confirm their triumph.

FOR MORE RUGBY NEWS, REPORTS & PICTURES SEE THURSDAY'S GAZETTE & HERALD AND FOLLOW US ON TWITTER @gazsport