Chippenham 3rds v Amesbury

Gentlemen gave table toppers the game of the season so far!!!

Chippenham rested from a week off were soon into the grove, so with two debutantes and four carrying injuries against high flying Amesbury. Having played them last season and this their debut season, we knew what to expect from this well organised side. A glorious autumn day Chippenham received the ball from kick off, sun bursting and were soon taking the ball back to the opposition. The young Full Back Ollie Clements was soon into the game linking well with his fellow backs Regan & Wallace particularly. However it was Amesbury who scored first from a breakaway mis-alignment through their army No 7 [Bell cousin] who was going to be a menace all day!! Chippenham were showing great commitment, absorbing pressure with great defence and frustrating Amesbury. New debutantes were fronting up well Kev Dunn in the row and Paul Hanlon who took a great line receiving the ball with real pace. Amesbury received the ball and returned with a try and converted. The forwards front row of Preston, Bell & Harding no not your local accountants were marching their opposition backwards all day as Cpt Wheeler opted for a scrum on every occasions and a opposition voice was heard that's 'negative tactics'...umm. Aikman loving his new role at eight was his usual combative self linking well with Whitehead who was also loving the freedom of scrum half. Amesbury kicked the ball and Harding was caught in a few minds, so he kneed the ball back... Regan couldn't resist in retrieving the ball offside, candidate for d... of the day?? Fielder and McCabe were fronting up well in the back row loving the go forward. Amesbury scored again showing good link play. Amesbury were lucky not to see yellow for a high tackle. Chippenham wanted to get some points on the board as we had deserved a lot more from the first half but Fielder went wide from opposition 22 incorrect tee apparently?

Second half much of the same, great commitment all round... Spurway was marshaling his back-line well, unlucky that Hamilton's pass went slightly forward as we had a great chance out wide. Amesbury did score first tho. Chippenham responded from great scrum position going forward Aikman linked with Whitehead to back himself and score and then Fielder hit the post! Chippenham scored again Whitehead and Spurway linked well to but Barnes in out wide the black panther ghosted in untouched, Fielder missed the conversion!! Spurway was holding up opposition ball resulting great turnovers. Clements was also having a great game showing great tenacity. Amesbury scored again Wheeler/ McCabe had both over ran loose ball from a ruck opposition bounced. Amesbury score two late tries to flatter the score line does not tell the full story as Chippenham ran out of steam a bit. Lets find the bar............sloe gin/port time!!

Final Score: Chippenham 3rds 10- 42 Amesbury
Man Of Match: Douglas Aikman.
So big thanks to all players who gave commitment in spades!! Debut players, to Noah and his water boys
Ceri [VC] our Physio. Tim Smither's for Photos.
Also Referee who even tho being assessed had a great game.

So Gentlemen next game: Bath Saracens away Sat 27th Oct meet 1315.
Rest up...hold your heads high, pride in the badge!!