THE FINAL play of the game saw Devizes score a bonus-point try as they overcame Walcot 28-15 in Southern Counties South.

With the win already wrapped up, in the dying moments Kieran Hiscock took advantage of quick ball to dive over from close in and make sure of the extra point on the table, which ensured the Saddlebacks bounced up to fourth.

With both the wind and the slope in their favour at kick-off, Devizes had much of the early territory although the Walcot defence remained resolute.

By the quarter-hour mark only a Rory Brown penalty separated the sides in Devizes’ favour, before the hosts shortly secured the first try.

They sent a penalty deep and a rumbling move through the forwards led to flanker Sam Holloway burrowing over from close range.

Walcot came back into it with some enterprising attacking play, given the conditions, and were rewarded with a penalty in front of the posts to reduce the deficit to 8-3.

Devizes roared back with their best spell of the match in the final ten minutes of the half.

A Walcot handling error was pounced on and following a line break from Josh Gould, the ball was worked through the phases with the defence on the back foot, enabling captain Lewis Paget to storm through for his third try of the season. Brown could not add the extras.

Minutes before the break, more strong carries and good play by the pack saw Holloway dot down from close range for his brace and a fifth try of the season. Brown converted to leave it 20-3 at the break.

Devizes played into the wind in the second half but had a lull in intensity which enabled the visitors to score 12 unanswered points through two tries after sustained pressure.

Walcot continued to fight, hoping to take the lead after continued Devizes indiscipline, only for a turnover close to the tryline and resulting clearance to let the hosts off the hook.

Devizes then managed to fashion possession in Walcot territory, and a penalty was converted by Brown to provide a cushion to the scoreline at 23-15.

Devizes finished the game stronger and with the play in the forwards working well, Hiscock managed to make the most of quick ball to cross and put a wrap on the scoreline; the tighthead prop’s eighth score of the campaign.

A first win of 2020 for Devizes, the game was only one of two in the division to go ahead as Corsham were among the teams that saw their games postponed.