DEVIZES kicked off their Southern Counties South campaign in style as they secured a 32-13 triumph at Thatcham.

Trailing 5-0 to an early try from the home side, the Saddlebacks worked their way back into the contest and soon took the lead as skipper Rory Brown landed two penalties.

Growing in confidence, the visitors then put together a fine move to send wing Lewis Dodds over for a try that Brown converted.

Thatcham responded before the interval with a penalty but despite a fine third quarter, they were unable to break through Devizes' fine defence, despite hooker Will Hine and Rhys Harries spending time in the sin bin.

The away side then scored again as Lewis Paget found Tommy Hammill who touched down, Brown converting, before Matt Strong grounded after hacking on a clearance kick.

Travis Orwin then handed off defenders to power over, Brown adding the conversion and Thatcham's late try was merely a consolation.

Corsham also tasted opening-weekend success as they won 30-20 at Bath side Walcot.

New first team captain Lewis Jones opened the scoring with a try and a further score by Kyran Broughton and penalty by Andy Williamson gave Corsham a 13-6 half-time lead.

The second half saw Walcot fight back with two converted tries but Corsham stayed in front with a well-worked score by Alex Twigg and five points from the boot of Williamson to lead 23-20 going into the final stages.

John Murzyn went over for the converted bonus-point score in the last play of the game.

Corsham head coach Tim Draper said: "It was great to start the season with a five-point win.

"Walcot are a much changed team from last season and they tested us out a lot with ball in hand.

"We were always ahead on the scoreboard but never quite enough to feel completely comfortable.

"We played some excellent rugby in spells during the game and we will be working to develop this further over the coming weeks.''