DEVIZES fell to a heavy 62-12 defeat away at Trowbridge in the opening match of their Southern Counties South campaign.

A poor performance throughout allowed a highly-motivated Trowbridge to sweep aside Devizes with a commanding effort.

Devizes were without a several first XV squad players with Rory Brown (holiday), George Starr (unavailable), Alex Pattle (unavailable), Josh Lewis (shoulder), Rhys Harries (shoulder) and Seb Hutchings (back) all missing.

However that allowed Josh Gould, Toby Randall, Tim Alchin and Tom Collins to return to the starting XV.

A Mark Carter try, converted by Andy Thompson was all that Devizes had to show for their first-half performance.

A consolation try in the second half by Thompson didn’t mask the disappointment as Trowbridge scored a number of tries throughout.

The Doric Park side were good value for their comprehensive win, however Devizes rued their luck a little with a couple of interception scores whilst attacking and a chip ahead which was picked off by the Trowbridge back line.

Devizes will have to be much better this weekend as they entertain Walcot.

Last season Devizes fell to a narrow home defeat to the hands of the Bath-based side at London Road, so they know this is a match they need to turn up to if they are to get a win on Saturday.

Marlborough won their first game of the season with a tense but thrilling victory over North Dorset by 29-25. Last season, Marlborough suffered two narrow defeats to their Southern Counties South rivals but were first to cross the line with a try scored by Jamie Pittams in the second minute, Garth Bari converting, while Pita Robanakadavu also crossed before half time.

Fly-half Amori Nailago caused the opposition problems throughout and he scored a try, converted by Bari, as did Feiloaki Ngungutau.