Stratford-upon-Avon RFC 6 - 13 Chippenham RFC

Chippenham travelled to a spirited Stratford side hoping to continue the winning momentum from the week before.

Chippenham travelled to a spirited Stratford side hoping to continue the winning momentum from the week before.

With Chippenham kicking off with the wind at their backs, they applied some earlier pressure and pinned Stratford in their own 22. The home team made it very clear from the outset they were going make the game a real dog fight for Chippenham and eventually got their hands on the ball from an interesting “slap down” that was missed and they went 60 meters but were stopped by great scramble defence by Chippenham.

The first half was back and forth but it’s fair to say was definitely not one for the spectators. At half time it was 3 - 3 thanks to a penalty kick by Al Mackenzie after a string of penalties.

Chippenham came out in the second half and changed their game plan slightly. Chippenham carried hard and used their forward game much more but Stratford hung on and despite good carrying by the pack and a few breaks from Charlie QE, Oli Alcorn and Jacob Unwin.

With the wind in their face Chippenham struggled to break out of their own half and went through a long spell in their own 22 but despite the conditions continued to play with ambition. A reshuffle in the back line gave Chippenham some more direction and eventually the back line broke the Stratford defence and Louis Ayliffe finished off some good hands with a strong finish to score. Stratford now trailing by 7 points thanks to a great conversion from out wide by Al Mackenzie continued to pin Chippenham in their 22 using the conditions which were now with them. Chippenham dug extremely deep and Stratford had to settle for 3 points bringing the score to 6 - 10 to Chippenham.

After a feisty few minutes which saw Alcorn and Stratford 6 both sent to the sin bin after some pushing and a verbal exchange. Chippenham finally broke out of their own half and began to look dangerous until a high tackle ended a good spell. Al Mackenzie stepped up again and slotted the penalty putting Chippenham 7 points clear once again.

Stratford came back at Chippenham but once again they stayed strong and despite Stratfords best efforts to drag Chippenham into their “niggle” they were unable to break down a good Chippenham defence and the game finished 13 - 6 to Chippenham.

Chippenham will look to continue their winning run next week when they take on Swindon at Home.

Match Report courtesy for Mr Nick Hill