DEVIZES recorded a confidence-boosting 24-19 win at home against Grove in Southern Counties South on Saturday.

Devizes saw Josh Vizard reinstalled into the front row at the expense of Seb Hutchings. Lewis Paget and George Starr were unavailable, although Jack Mason returned on the openside flank and was joined by young Leighton Osbourne, deputising at number eight.

The back-line saw two changes, with Gus O’Connor returning on the wing, alongside Luke Rapson.

Devizes’ defence was tested early on, and Grove quickly posted their first try as they registered an unconverted score with 10 minutes on the clock.

Centre Chris Barter then kicked two penalties wide as Grove maintained their fragile five-point lead.

Playing down the slope and with the wind in the second half, Devizes quickly held the upper hand over their rivals.

That wasn’t before Grove hooker Steve Dixey and the hosts’ Barter were sent off, though.

The home side settled better with 14 men as Will Hine burst over the line to level the scores.

Grove were then reduced to 13 men for an illegal shoulder charge.

Devizes took advantage – from a lineout in the Grove 22, O’Connor registered Devizes’ second try. Rapson converted, making it 12-5.

Grove responded to register their second try of the game, a conversion levelled the score once more.

Both teams continued to match each other – Tommy Hammill scored Devizes’ third try before Grove matched the home side’s efforts.

At 19-19, John Bramwell proved to be the home hero as he registered the final score of the game – Devizes winning 24-19.

Elsewhere, Corsham were beaten 52-10 at home by North Dorset, while bottom side Bradford on Avon picked up a bonus point in a 22-15 home loss to Sherborne.