The pump technology sponsored Tadley travelled to Devizes on the hottest day of August. This was to be the first of two warm up games before Tadley embarks of the campaign in the Southern Countries South league.

The game saw debuts for Tom Wood, Andy White, Richard Johnston and Charlie Cox who all acquitted themselves admirably on their first run out for the club.

The game intended for both sides to put into practice what they had worked on over the off season was broken into three sessions also giving players welcome water breaks in the unfamiliar hot weather. Tadley started well scoring two tries in the first 3o minutes and demonstrated a good level of interaction between forwards and backs. Colin Summers adjusting well to his new position at Hooker and linking well with Duncan Harris and Andy White in the second row to provide solid ball from the line out. Two Tries from Richard Johnston in this session gave Tadley a 14 -0 lead going into the break.

The second period saw the Devizes team take the majority of the possession and spend a great deal of time in Tadley’s twenty two using their large pack to batter the Tadley line. Tadley however gave a gutsy defensive performance and denied Devizes the chance of scoring. A break away try by Alex Pike allowing Tadley to take a 21-0 lead.

The final session lasted 20 minutes and the effort Tadley have made in the off season paid dividends as their superior fitness showed through with an electric break from Charlie Cox showing sound decision making not to pass to Mike Keeley and to flick the ball out of contact to Rich Johnston giving him his hat trick on his debut to leave the final score 28-0.

There were good performances from all eighteen players that travelled to Devizes but Darren (yes I am on Road Wars) Staley at 7, Alex Pike proving that cricket does wonders for your fitness in the off season and Rich Johnston deserve particular mention, as well as all the members of the travelling support who made the trip to come and cheer us on.

Tadley- Paul Collins, Colin Summer, Rob Lowe, Tom Wood, Duncan Harris, Andy White, Mike Keeley, Darren Staley, Rob Murray, Tom Bailey, Rich Johnston, Charlie Cox, Andy Williams, Alex Pike, Gareth Cripps, Ed Smith, Chris Dennison and Simon Denning.