Chippenham 3rds v Minety 2nds

A cracking start to the new season with a hard fought 5 try win.

Chippenham were asked if the fixture could be reversed due a mole infestation in the newly drained Minety pitches, not a problem all agencies gave the green light. Chippenham played on their favourite driveway pitch with the newly installed lights looking magnificent. Jamie Kerr played for the seconds and Hubbard stepped up. The next curve ball was the allocated referee had a last minute family commitments, so James from Minety stepped up not a recognized society referee had a relaxed approach big thanks. So with a great mixture of youth and experience buoyed by a large replacements [Preston/Goodall] bench Chippenham started brightly after a good warm up. A solid pack with Bell, Nickson and Singh commanding the front row against a heavy pack we had front foot ball. The back line were starting to gel with new combinations showing up well. The pace out wide from George Brookes who combined well with McBibble to score out wide, great pace from the former Dev squad player. Minety had a youthful look in their back line and were soon on the score sheet game on!! Chippenham responded from great phase play Nickson finding Adams and a great assist by Regan, Darren Mcbibble was next to ghost over and score converted by Tim Dunford. Playing great rugby Chippenham were on the front foot again Wheeler stealing a line-out ball, Dunford found Case who had a overlap of Regan, Hamilton and Jackson ignored them crabbed side wise to score great try converted by Dunford. Minety who showed excellent character scored again.
Chippenham made replacements at half time with Bell / Preston swapping also Brookes/Wallace swapping. So the second half started with back row of Aikman, Hubbard and Spurway spoiling the ball being very combative. Hamilton sustained a knock to the hooter but soldiered on. Bailey came on for Hubbard. Chippenham were in a brilliant position playing great rugby, Wheeler some how found himself with ball but soon off loaded to his more pacy second row partner to score converted by Dunford. Kicker Singh was showing all his combative skills with great go forward, watched on by his adorning fan club rolling back the years!! Minety all game responded with try from their influential fly half. Goodall came on for Preston and Brookes rotated back on for Jackson what a luxury. The unlucky Wallace had just made a great break but didn't have the gas in defence very unlucky and Minety scored. The final try was a peach with McBibble combining from the back of a scrum 5 metres out Dunford dumped to McBibble coming in from the wing bought by the Minety defence 'we use to that back in the first team' came the shout. Great way to finish the game and secure an opening win, thanks to all players.
Final Score: Chippenham 33 - 24 Minety 2nds
Man of the match: Doug Aikman
Big thanks to Minety referee James, water boy Riley Atkin, Physio Yvonne Dunford and un -used sub Rick Mcabe [tight calf].
So no game next week rest up........ Next game home to Supermarine 2nds 1500 ko