DEVIZES failed to build on a hugely promising opening 40 minutes as they lost out at Newbury in South West One East.

The Saddlebacks held firm in the opening stages as the home side poured forward but eventually Newbury opened the scoring when slick handling sent in second row Josh Winfield, fly-half Rich West converting.

The visitors responded, winning a penalty that fly-half Andy Thompson converted and their ascendancy continued as Thompson kicked a penalty deep into thir opponents' 22.

Rumbling up towards the try line, clean possession allowed the backs to whip the ball out to wing Chris Barter who touche down, Thompson landing the conversion from out wide.

Devizes continued in the same vein as gaps appeared in the Newbury defence at will with Lewis Paget, Jorge Wadman and Mark Carter all making significant yards before the ball was whipped to Thompson who kicked a drop goal to bring it to 13-7.

Now completely dominant, the Saddlebacks poured forward again as Paget and James Gaiger eped set up the position and neat hands allowed Thompson to go over in the corner and add the tricky conversion.

Devizes could have scored again when Seb Hutchings was adjudged to be held up short, but the half-time break seemed to galvanise the Blues.

Two quick tries in succession, one from Dan Thorne and the other from number eight Ryan Davis, one converted by West inched Newbury to 20-19 down within minutes of the restart.

Although Devizes continued to batter away Newbury scored another try on the counter, Winfield claiming his second score, converted by West.

Still Devizes had further chances but it was Newbury who added the final score of the day as Davis finished a phase of good offloading, West again converting.