DEVIZES got their season off to flying start with a sizeable win over Wimborne at London Road on Saturday.

After a good pre-season where there were two wins, Devizes were optimistic coming into this season curtain-raiser, but knew that Wimborne would be a testing outfit and although the final scoreline suggests it was a heavy defeat, in reality it was not.

Devizes were 3-0 up within minutes following an Andy Thompson penalty and that lead was extended soon after when a jinking run from Travis Orwin saw him go close.

The Devizes pack held the ball close the line before Josh Lewis picked up at the base and dived over. Thompson added the extras.

Thompson added another penalty for Devizes to give them a 13-0 lead.

Wimborne then came back into the game with with captain Steve King making a fine run on the counter attack before being hauled down.

A couple more infringements then allowed Wimborne an easy penalty kick in front of the posts, which was duly converted, before Thompson restored the 13-point lead with a penalty of his own.

Some good hands from Calum Conway found Seb Hutchings and he released Lewis down the flank to cross for his second of the match.

Thompson converted again to make it 23-3 to the Saddlebacks at the break.

In the second half, following some sustained pressure, there were causes for concern when King was left in a lot of discomfort after a collision which resulted in a broken leg being sustained by the Wimborne skipper.

From the eventual restart, Devizes were camped on the Wimborne five metre line before Josh Gould was bundled over. Thompson again kicked the conversion.

Conway then went over for another Devizes score after being released by Gould, however, he injured himself in the process.

Having been moved to scrum-half, Luke Rapson sprinted clear for Devizes’s final score to send them 45-3 up.

But Wimborne never gave up and grabbed two converted tries of their own before the final whistle.

Team manager Matt Holloran said: “Overall it was a great game with lots of good play.

“Wimborne scored two late tries which we should never of let happen, but that just goes to show we cannot let our concentration slip at any time.

“Josh Lewis was named man of the match for the second week in a row and rightfully so as he’s playing brilliant rugby at the moment.”