Devon skipper Chris Lowrie lifts last year's trophy (Getty)

County champions Devon began their defence of the Bill Beaumont Cup by edging out neighbours Somerset 19-13 at Barnstaple's Pottington Road.

The Green and Whites, who beat Lancashire in last year's final, found the Somerset defence tough to crack.

They were trailing 13-12 until a break by Plymouth Albion scrum-half Matt Newman saw him tackled just short.

But Newman managed to squeeze a pass out to club-mate Keni Fisilau, who went over for the winning try.