DEVIZES returned to winning ways as they kept their bid for a top five finish in their maiden South West One East campaign intact at London Road.

The Saddlebacks restored some of the pride battered from the previous week’s reverse at Buckingham coming behind after Reading had made the better start.

The returns of Toby Randall at hooker, half-backs Tom Collins and Rory Brown as well as Jorge Wadman, boosted the home cause, although they struggled to get into the game early on as Reading scored an unconverted try to take the lead.

Devizes then lost flanker Craig Bryant to a hip injury, but Reading kicked a penalty to move further clear before Randall and an opponent both received yellow cards.

The home side went close to a try when a lineout rumble was held up but with Seb Hutchings coming on to ensure a complete front row, the Saddlebacks dominated the following scrummages and, after several phases, number eight Moses Navunisaravi twisted over for the try.

Devizes stepped it up after half time, although Reading passed up a glorious chance to score on an overlap.

Reprieved, the hosts came again, their cause helped in Reading lost a member of their back row to a red card.

Navunisaravi went over for his second try with Brown adding the extras to give them the lead for the first time.

Skipper Collins followed suit from close range and Brown’s conversion stretched the advantage.

Devizes remained in the ascendancy until a wild clearance allowed the Reading left winger to canter in a soft converted score to hand them a losing bonus point.

REACTION TO DEVIZES' WIN AND MORE RUGBY REPORTS, REACTION & PICTURES IN THURSDAY'S GAZETTE & HERALD