DEVIZES opened 2016 with a welcome Southern Counties South victory on the south coast.

The visitors lost loosehead prop Tom Reed (flu), Rory Brown (injury) and Jorge Wadman (rested) in the build-up to the game and were on the back foot in the early stages, Dorchester kicker James Baker missing a shot at goal.

The Saddlebacks found their feet and after second row Lewis Paget nearly set up a try, the backs worked space for Sam Jones to sprint over out wide.

Devizes, who handed Jordan Walker a debut on the wing, continued to dominate, particularly with kicking out of hand and in the set piece and after some further strong carries by the pack, scrum-half Andy Thompson found a gap in the Dorchester defence to dive over and convert.

Despite a home response, Devizes kept the home side largely at bay, ramping up the pressure to earn a penalty that Thompson tapped quickly and grounded the ball for a converted score.

Despite losing Paget to injury in the second half, to be replaced by Stan Alsop who was subsequently injured himself and replaced by Alex Pattle, Jones crashed through for his second try of the day and the bonus-point score to make it 24-0.

Devizes continued at frenetic pace and Thompson nailed a three pointer to wrap up the victory.