LEIGHTON Osborne scored a late try to snatch Devizes a 10-7 victory at home to Swindon during a nervy Wiltshire derby in Southern Counties South on Saturday.
Playing down the slope in the first half, Devizes looked to attack from the off, and for the first 10 minutes, played at a tempo and intensity the visitors could not live with.
After just five minutes, a sweeping move saw the ball played to Craig Bryant, who executed a superb pass to Oli Bird to go over out wide.
Swindon had the better of the remainder of the first half as Devizes’ indiscipline allowed the visitors to establish a platform and get their big runners attacking the home defence. However, the Saddlebacks battled well to keep Swindon at bay.
In between this, Devizes’ Quinn Clarke and Swindon’s Matt Loader had a disagreement that saw both men sent to the sin-bin.
Just before the break, Swindon got the try their territory and possession deserved as they burrowed over from close range, with the conversion making it 7-5.
The visitors continued to press but Conor Scott bundled an attack into touch to bring the first half to a close.
Devizes played up the slope after the break, and although they continued to defend admirably, they found it difficult to establish territory and possession.
A penalty gave Swindon a shot at goal but the kicker skewed the effort wide.
Moving into the final 10 minutes, Devizes began to attack and camped close to the Swindon line, only to see a wide pass intercepted.
The Saddlebacks’ supporters may have felt that was the final chance blown, however, any doubters would have been wrong.
A break down the left by Bird saw the ball played through hands at pace to stretch the Swindon defence as good handling and support play by Bryant, Scott and Osborne allowed the latter to jink over the tryline to score.
Swindon restarted and a knock-on allowed them a chance to turn the game around again in the final minute from a scrum.
The visitors managed to catch an overlap down the left but a try-saving tackle from Tommy Hamill prevented the score before Swindon were eventually bundled into touch to seal Devizes’ win.
Elsewhere, Corsham remain on just two league wins this season after falling to a heavy 51-7 defeat at home to Swindon College Old Boys.
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