It was always going to be a competitive match despite the different league positions and so it proved.
Playing into the wind in the first half, the visitors were very quickly on to the score sheet with a try by Lewis Surry in the 2nd minute of the game. Chippenham managed to hold on to possession through a number of phases and Lewis found the gap that he so often does. Dom Riccio ably converted taking the score to 7-0 in favour of the visitors.
Home side Marlow managed to find their rhythm and scored a couple of tries - one with the luckiest of bounces - to take the lead by 14 points to 7.
This lead lasted for a further 10 mins at which stage Chippenham took control of the match. It was always going to the ‘game of 2 halves’ and if Chippenham were in contention at half time they would be happy. Not the case! just before half time, the visitors style and pace proved to be too much for Marlow. Three tries in the space of 6 minutes before half time was a real nail in the coffin for Marlow. They were unable to compete with Chippenham’s ball in hand style of rugby and gaps appeared in abundance in the Marlow defence.
Charlie Palmer started the scoring sequence of tries followed by Henry Kirkpatrick and Jacob Unwin finishing off the trio of tries!
With a half time score of 26 - 14 in favour of Chippenham, Marlow were always going to find it hard to forge a comeback, especially against such a strong wind.
The 2nd half proved to a very challenging encounter for both teams who continued to deliver their contrasting styles. On the 52nd minute, fullback Will Waddington scored a try that has to be in contention as the try of the season. He gathered a kick around the half way line and managed to beat numerous defenders with some excellent footwork to score a tremendous solo try.
A further try by skipper Ryan Surry on the 65th minute ensured a comfortable win for the visitors. With the game all but over, credit to Marlow for coming back with an excellent forwards try making the final score 36 - 19 in favour of the West country team.
Next week sees Chippenham back at home facing Gloucester outfit Old Centralians so come along and enjoy a festival of rugby!
# | Team | Pl | Pts |
1. | Old Patesians | 26 | 116 |
2. | Banbury | 26 | 112 |
3. | Chippenham | 26 | 106 |
4. | Oxford Harlequins | 26 | 76 |
5. | Salisbury | 26 | 73 |
6. | Royal Wootton Bassett | 26 | 70 |
7. | Old Centralians | 26 | 67 |