Chippenham 3rds V Corsham 2nds

Season finale team performance against table toppers but lost to worthy winners!!

So Gentlemen of the thirds gathered on Allington hallowed turf for season finale against local rivals Corsham with weather more akin to the cricket season. Corsham arrived very early keen or what with a few ex Chippenham players this was always going to be spicy so it turned out. Late withdrawal was the keen Leigh Lawrence who failed his own fitness in the warm up, you will come back stronger after the summer.
So the game plan unknown to Captain Wheeler was green ball or old school cold ball pick and go was order of the day unsure if tapping your own backside helped!!? After what seem like an eternity Chippenham kicked but didn't make touch only for Corsham pacy back-line to run in for the games first try by Broughton. Chippenham pack were their usual dominant self pushing the Corsham pack backwards on numerous occasions. Also line out was going well with Nickson finding the returning Griffiths with consummate ease. Jocelyn Barnes joined the fray replacing Walters. Corsham scored again through their backs. Jim Hamilton was his usual combative self but was finding it hard to gain parity. Chippenham responded with a a great try by Tom case who was on fine form. Chippenham with more green ball than a play pit continued to march up field much too Corsham disgust. But yet again Chippenham failed to clear and make touch this time their full back ran the ball, back to score and convert. Bell pulled his calf again replaced by late arriving Johnson over training Arran!? Chippenham responded from great field position after great line out with tom Case to score from close range with the referee in a great position to award. The half finished with Corsham running a brace of tries.
The second half continued much in the same vain Fielder was marshaling players well at scrum half but could do nothing when Atkins was dumped backwards above the horizontal? Dean Atkin was managing the subs very well new job maybe? So please call red ball so the backs did have a go but came up short. Corsham scored again after a great break by their number 7 dog leg defence and off he went!! Chippenham from great field position green ball close to the line but Harding had most of the Corsham pack on his back great leg drive but no try as Wheeler went slightly heavy with the boot and after Corsham complaining penalty awarded. Nickson succumbed to an eye injury replaced by Mr Versatile Johnny G. Jackson, McMillan and Barnes tried their best in the back line but could not penetrate a good Corsham defence. Andy Williamson was orchestrating things well at fly half for Corsham .Howell,Preston, Cunnington and Hubbard but in another great shift. Chippenham scored out wide from red ball and the striding Jon Storey out stretched to score inspector gadget arms!.Corsham finished with a brace of tries and were worthy winners. Chippenham focus for the last 10 minutes was to get that bonus point but with the referee being generous with time came up short.
Final Score: Chippenham 17 - 54 Corsham 2nds
Congratulations to Corsham worthy DW3N Champions.
Thank you: All players for this game and through out the season 4th in DW3N great achievement.
More thank you's: Archie Hamilton water boy and for the retiring stalwart Dean Atkin for running the bench.
So its Wed @ rec to watch 1st XV Bath Com final and Senior Club Awards @ the club Fri 1st June 18.
See you @ the club and have a great summer!!!