The combined team finally found a winning formula when their virtually full-strength squad overturned neighbours Trowbridge in this Dorset and Wilts Merit Table match.

In poor conditions, the combined team looked sharp in the early exchanges. Their nerves were settled when a good line-out steal saw the forwards maul well to the line before unleashing centre Scott Simmons on a crash ball for a try near the posts.

With a heavy cross-wind, the conversion hit the upright, and winger Perry Burton and tight head prop Ewan Lacey were unlucky not to score soon after.

However, the home team finally secured a second Trowbridge line-out before the backs this time spun the ball wide for Simon Ellinger on the wing to outstrip the visitors' defence.

With their tails up, Melksham and Devizes put together a number of excellent attacks and were rewarded when centre John Mills cut inside from another three quarter move to wrong-foot the Trowbridge defence.

This was followed, shortly before half-time, by a scrum on the Trowbridge five metre line that was turned over by the home pack allowing hooker Adam Pegg to burrow over for a 22-0 lead at the break.

A number of changes were made by both teams just after half-time and the home pack carried on where they had left off with some excellent rolling mauls and clean rucks.

Tries to full Back James Ponsford and number eight Mike Barber finished off a satisfying afternoon.