O'SULLIVAN is a name synonymous with the history of Trowbridge rugby, but on Saturday, men of that name conspired to cause its downfall.

At the start of season 2000/01, Trowbridge old boy Dave O'Sullivan was lured to a coaching role at Devizes, and the campaign after he was also joined by son Dave junior, a Trowbridge product and first team scrum half.

On Saturday, both were integral in masterminding Devizes' first league win of the season, but it was a much improved team effort which saw the home side victorious in a dour and often spiteful affair which had all the spice the local derby is known for.

Discipline let the visitors down, and they played a full half hour with only 14 men on the pitch, and the Saddlebacks took full advantage - closely following O'Sullivan senior's game plan.

After Trowbridge notched up an early penalty through full back Lloyd Davis, Devizes began hammering their opponents' line through the forwards, causing repeated infringements, and the eventual sin binning of Trowbridge number eight Nick Lawes.

From the penalty tap, the forwards ran in two pods, and prop Dan Masters powered over to score.

Three minutes later the Devizes pack chalked up another moral victory when number eight James Gaiger wrestled over from a powerful five metre scrum.

Centre James Pople converted both tries, and he was gifted a five pointer of his own two minutes later when he took a fine intercept after chasing through his own lofted kick, sprinting 40 metres to slide in.

The rain really set in just before half time, making expansive rugby almost impossible, and Devizes continued to use the conditions better using pick and drive play through the forwards and intelligent kicking from half pairing O'Sullivan and Gareth Jones.

Just before the break the Trowbridge second row Chris Nye was sin binned for illegal use of the knees when cleaning out, and Devizes took a 19-3 lead into the second stanza.

The visitors improved markedly after the break, scoring a try through back rower Adam Sullivan and a conversion and two penalties from the boot of Alex Hill within 20 minutes, the cause of the Saddlebacks not helped by a yellow card for hooker Chris Belli.

But Devizes would not be denied, and assisted by some remarkably good hands from second rower Tim Alchin from restarts, and outstanding games in general play from Gaiger and lock Mike Walsh, wrapped up the game eight minutes from time.

It was a beautiful try considering the conditions. Jones took the ball off O'Sullivan on the blind side and somehow squeezed a pass between the two tacklers to Belli wrapping around.

The Welsh hooker drew his defender and threw a pinpoint pass to winger Andy Webb who made the gap between the two sides a crucial eight points with his try.

The relief of players, coaches and administrators was obvious after the victory, and Devizes will be hoping to continue the winning habit at Bradford-on-Avon this Saturday.