ROYAL Wootton Bassett atoned for their previous humbling at the hands of Devizes in the Dorset & Wilts Cup with an impressive 22-8 win on the road in Southern Counties South.

Alan Low’s men had been dumped out of the knockout competition 67-10 back in October but put that result right in ruthless fashion.

Bassett head coach Low admitted the cup defeat had been playing on the side’s mind and they were determined not to suffer the same fate at London Road.

“The guys were really up for it with the cup result in the back of their minds,” said Low.

“There were a couple who played in that match who wanted to go out and make amends for letting the club down earlier in the season.

“We got out of the blocks very well and the forwards gave us a fantastic platform to work off.

“I think in the end it was a deserved win.”

The match was played in Arctic cold conditions, but with a strong and biting wind at their backs, Bassett put early pressure on the Devizes defence.

They got their rewards after 10 minutes from a lineout in the Devizes 22. Bassett set off on a huge drive with skipper David Hogg emerging from under a pile of bodies having secured the touchdown.

Bassett then extended their lead through a Hogg penalty but then lost both fly-half Matthew Loader and veteran Tim Gallimore to the sin-bin following high tackles.

Despite being down to 13 men, some tremendous tackling restricted Devizes to a single try before half-time as Bassett led 8-5.

The visitors were back on the front foot after the turnaround and turned the ball over in the Devizes 22. Possession was moved quickly along the back-line, allowing Loader to wrong foot the defence and dive under the posts, converted by Hogg.

Devizes continued to look dangerous but the Bassett defence was much more solid than of late, although the home side were able to add a penalty.

The match could have gone either way but Bassett put the result beyond doubt with ten minutes left, after the forwards camped themselves on the Devizes line.

The ball was eventually popped to prop Gary Williamson, who bludgeoned his way over, with Hogg adding the extras to complete the win.

Bassett boss Low was keen to praise an all-round team display.

“In the cup squad we were a bit of a mixed side but the squad on Saturday has been a lot more settled,” said Low.

“Having said that, we had six players not available and called up four guys who have been playing regular second-team rugby. To come out with the result we did was fantastic, they all really stood up.

“Simon Anderton made his first-team debut, Ieuan Brown stepped up from the bench, Jon Clarke has been playing a lot in the seconds and was outstanding at full-back and Kyle Lovell came in and was superb too.

“All those guys went brilliantly.”