Leo Fielding scored 29 of his side’s points as Gloucestershire romped to a comfortable 54-14 victory over Devon at Cinderford in the first Bill Beaumont County Championship match of the season.

The Blackheath full-back scored three of the county’s eight tries and added seven conversions. Gloucestershire’s total of 54 points was their second highest against Devon, bettered only by the 55 registered at Cleve two years ago, while this was also the county’s highest ever score at Cinderford.

The home side dominated from the start, with the impressive back row of Aaron Ryan, George Angell and Harry Hone soon punching holes in the Devon defence.

The opening try came after just three minutes when Dings winger Harry Tovey took outside-half Liam Hemming’s long pass to cross the line wide on the right.

Fielding did well to convert, after which Devon missed a simple chance to reduce the deficit when outside-half Tom Putt hit the post with a straightforward penalty attempt. It was to prove the only occasion during the afternoon that either side opted to kick for goal from a penalty.

Before 10 minutes had been played, Gloucestershire forged further ahead when Fielding scored the first of his tries following a good move in which Hemming was again prominent.

The successful conversion made it 14-0, but Devon got their first try just before the end of the opening quarter. Putt intercepted a pass from Cinderford prop George Porter and galloped away to score under the posts. He converted his own try.

A good move involving Fielding, Porter, winger James Golledge and scrum-half James Dean nearly resulted in a third home try, but soon afterwards Golledge did well to prevent a possible Devon score from a breakout. He shepherded the ball safely over the line after the visitors had kicked ahead and touched down without conceding a five-metre scrum.

At this stage of the game Gloucestershire lost a series of turnovers, but they looked more secure as half-time approached and scored two tries in quick succession.

The first was scored on the left by Clifton centre Sam Goatley after Angell had set Tom Anderson up for an amazing run. The Dings hooker, one of a number of county debutants, made a superb break, dummying and changing direction before delivering the scoring pass.

Fielding’s missed conversion was his only failure of the afternoon. The second try during this period of dominance was scored by Angell after great build-up work from Golledge and Fielding.

The Old Patesians flanker had a lot of work to do when he received the ball, but he made it to the line with a determined run. Fielding’s conversion made the half-time score 26-7.

A surge to the line by Hone was the catalyst for the first try of the second half. The ball was recycled and moved to the left where Goatley’s pass sent Fielding on his way to score.

Fielding’s low conversion attempt just sneaked over the bar, after which there was disappointment for the home supporters when the impressive Ryan limped out of the action.

However, his replacement Okristian Williams quickly fitted in to Gloucestershire’s all-action passing game, and a sixth try soon followed. Hemming set this one up, finding Will Mansfield with a well-directed pass on the left. The Newent centre sped over the line and again Fielding converted.

Just after the hour mark, Dean burst away before passing to Goatley, who crossed for a good try on the left. Fielding’s conversion took the score to 47-7, and there was one more home try still to savour.

A great run from Hemming sent Fielding on his way once again, and the full-back’s conversion of his own try was a formality. To their credit, Devon did not allow their heads to drop and they had the last word when skipper Wayne Sprangle burrowed over from close range in the final play of the game. Putt’s successful conversion concluded an entertaining afternoon of rugby.

This was an excellent performance from a Gloucestershire squad which has clearly knitted together well.

The first instinct was always to pass; there was plenty of pace on show both in the backs and the forwards, and every member of the team contributed to the victory. Gloucestershire head Division One South by a single point after the opening round of fixtures, and they will look to build on an excellent start when they welcome Kent to Clifton on Saturday.

Gloucestershire (Cinderford unless stated): L Fielding (Blackheath), H Tovey (Dings Crusaders), W Mansfield (Newent), S Goatley (Clifton), J Golledge (Old Elthamians), L Hemming, J Dean (Newent), G Porter, T Anderson (Dings Crusaders), J Smart (captain), T Jerrum (Cleve), D Lemon, A Ryan, G Angell (Old Patesians), H Hone. Replacements (all used): S Evans (Thornbury), J Lloyd (Dings Crusaders), R Townsend (Old Centralians), R Webb (Newent), O Williams (Cheltenham North), L Jones (Old Centralians), T Webb (Newent).