DEVIZES' pursuit of top spot in Southern Counties South suffered a blow as they delivered a poor display to lose at home to Bath visitors Walcot.

The Saddlebacks surrendered a comfortable 23-8 lead to slip to their second league defeat of the season and their second on the bounce, losing ground on leaders Midsomer Norton.

Despite a decent first half an hour, the Saddlebacks manage to throw away a game they were more than capable of winning comfortably.

Walcot grabbed the lead in fortuitous circumstances as a high ball bobbled around and, despite the efforts of Luke Rapson and Jorge Wadman, was grounded over the line.

However, home skipper Andy Thompson booted a penalty and, as Devizes battered the Walcot defence, the ball went wide for Wadman to touch down, Thompson adding the conversion.

George Starr knocked on with the try line at his mercy but Thompson landed another penalty to stretch the advantage, before Walcot responded in kind.

Back came the hosts as the ball again went through the backs for Sam Jones to go over in the corner, Thompson nailing the conversion and a further penalty to pull his side well clear.

Walcot hauled themselves back into it as they kicked a penalty to the corner, then burrowed over from close range and landed the conversion to cut the gap to eight points.

And with slope and wind advantage after the break, they seized the initiative as Devizes lost scrum-half Tom Collins to injury.

A further converted try brought them to within a point and things got worse for the Saddlebacks as they conceded a further converted score and lost Wadman to the sin-bin for a high tackle in the build-up.

A further Walcot score took them 13 points clear and although Devizes gave themselves hope - Josh Lewis supporting well after Rapson's scything run and Thompson converting - the visitors held out to secure victory.