DEVIZES upset the apple cart in Southern Counties South as they clinched a 26-5 triumph over leaders Sherborne, allowing county rivals Marlborough to take over at the top of the table.

The Saddlebacks had lost their previous two matches but despite fielding a side shorn of at least 12 first-teamers, they surprised their Dorset visitors who were themselves missing players.

The home side started on top defensively, despite losing centre Kurtis Marsden to a broken nose, bring player-manager Julian Taylor into the fray.

Dominant in the scrummage, Devizes found their way through when Travis Orwin exposed a gap in midfield and sent flanker Nathan Strong over for a try.

A second try followed as the away set-piece disintegrated and the referee awarded a penalty try and, in the second half, Devizes started strongly again, skipper Josh Brown going over after a series of charges inside the Sherborne 22, Rory Brown adding the extras.

Devizes had the bit between their teeth as again smashed a Sherborne scrum backwards at a rate of knots, before Gould again crashed over for the bonus-point score. Brown converting.

Sherborne rallied and had the better of the final 20 minutes, scoring a late try after Devizes had emptied the bench.

Sherborne's slip allowed Marlborough to take over at the summit courtesy of a 43-7 victory at Swindon College Old Boys.

The opening try of the game came after just five minutes, as an attacking scrum gave good ball to scrum-half Will Grant who combined with captain James Farrell to send Ben Fulton on a powerful line under the posts.

Grant added the extras before Leo Tuliva picked up from a scrum and broke two tackles to go over under the posts, Grant again converting and adding a penalty before half-time.

Fine second-half performances from Lemeki Moala, Epeli Kotobalavu and Henry Webster kept Marlborough pushing forward after the break, Fulton scoring after another powerful run, a try Grant again converted.

College replied with a converted try of their own, but the final 10 minutes saw the pace of Joeli Radovu and Mitieli Vulikijapani add three further tries for the visitors.

Corsham stayed fourth after 24-3 win over Walcot at Lacock Road.

Walcot took the lead with a penalty in the opening minutes but Corsham replied with three tries as Adam Jamieson twice and Liam Snape crossed, Kalif Barnes converting twice.

The bonus point was secured with a fourth try by Robbie Robinson after a break by scrum-half George Beavis.

Corsham head coach Tim Draper said: "In difficult conditions we played some excellent attacking rugby during the game and I was really pleased with how clinical the guys were in taking the try-scoring opportunities that they created.

"Our defence also stood firm as Walcot battled hard throughout the game and, especially in the second half, had a lot of possession. To stop them from scoring any tries was a great effort.''