DEVIZES were beaten at home in Southern Counties South for the second time this season at the weekend as Yeovil earned a narrow 17-12 success at the Chivers Ground.

The hosts were the first to strike on the day as number eight Brian Hopkins scored a well-worked try, but Yeovil responded well and the score was 5-5 at the break.

Yeovil upped the tempo after the restart and played some excellent rugby, starving Devizes of the ball and scored two quickfire tries to make it 17-5.

Devizes battled back well and a well-worked try which saw Lewis Dodds put into space brought the score back to 17-12 following skipper Rory Brown’s conversion.

With a couple of minutes remaining, Devizes kicked long and had a lineout on the Yeovil 5m line but as they pushed for the win, the visitors snaffled possession and ate up the remaining minutes to hold out for victory.

Devizes director of rugby Joe Alford said: “The better side won. Yeovil were more tactically astute and kept us under pressure in our own 22 for large periods of the second half with some excellent ball retention and kicking.

“Despite this, our relentless defence and will to work for each other has been a credit, which has kept us well within games.

“Although we had an opportunity to snatch the win at the end, we lacked that little bit of execution – this will come as we play more and more together.

“We have a young team who will learn from these matches going forward.”

Elsewhere, Corsham enjoyed better fortunes as they made it three wins from five league games this season with a 53-24 win at home to Dorchester and are now only one place behind Devizes in the table.