DEPLETED Devizes made their furthest journey without regulars Andy Thompson, Seb Hutchings, Mark Carter, Tom Collins and Will Paviour.

Six of last year’s colts made the squad, while making his first start at scrum-half this season was Calum Conway, with Alex Pattle returning in at prop, at loosehead, shifting experienced veteran Tom Reed to the hooker shirt.

In the backs, after an impressive debut against Grove, Sam Jones continued at centre, whilst the replacements contained hooker George Smith, back rower Jack Dixon and utility back George Rapson.

Unsurprisingly, the rejigged line-up took time to get going, the hosts going into an 8-0 lead with with a penalty and try both converted by winger Geoff Branthwaite.

Devizes responded and fly-half Rory Brown kicked a penalty to reduce the arrears after Buzzard centre Euan Irwin was sent to the sin bin for an offence at the breakdown.

Just before the half hour, Devizes number eight James Gaiger was also yellow-carded, but Devizes were holding their own and, just after the break, the ball was whipped out to Brown who executed a fine drop goal.

The visitors then lost skipper Julian Taylor with concussion, replaced by Dixon, and the hosts capitalised as winger Luke Stanbridge scored a swift try with Branthwaite converting, before Branthwaite secured his second of the day bringing the scores to 20-6.

The Saddlebacks were not deflated however and, just after the hour mark, Brown sliced through the defence to go under the posts and added the conversion.

Buzzard responded to extend their lead to 25-13 as flanker Tom Byard went over from close range.

Devizes continued to probe and were rewarded when Steve McCraith went over in the corner to reduce the scores to 25-18.

The potential losing bonus point was lost however as, in the final minute, hooker Ed Payne crashed over with Branthwaite successful with the conversion.