Chippenham wanted to finish this very strong season and were determined to retain the Bath Combination Cup but Bath University had other ideas. In front of a big crowd of over 500 at The Rec, Chippenham may have outscored Bath by five tries to four but it was the University that won 25-31.

Chippenham had a strong squad assembled although did lose 2 front row replacements through injury and they needed a couple of swift changes before the match got underway. The game got started on a perfect night for running rugby and both sides took time to size each up. Chippenham played with good pace but the Bath defence was very solid and soon a couple of penalties allowed Bath Uni to grab an attacking scrum, which Chippenham felt confident they could target and turnover. That wasn't the case and in fact the Uni lads retained the ball, ran a smart move off the back and scored the opening try. Chippenham were not happy at going 0-7 down so early and came back strongly using the Forwards to make good ground and win penalties. From an attacking lineout 10 meters out, the Chippenham maul got to work and Liam Snape scored a trademark try. Sadly Jack Smith was wide with the conversion, which turned out to be a bit of a trend for the evening (apparently the Tee boy brought the wrong one on..). It wasn't long and Bath Uni stretched the lead after being given a penalty for going in at the side and an easy 3 points was added at 5-10.
This spurred Chippenham on and they marched back up the pitch using pace and power with Charlie Parsons and Jack Smith running things well. Soon another attacking lineout was used as a platform for Chippenham to use the maul but this time, when it broke down, Parsons sniped through a gap and scored a good team try. Smith was wide again and was not liking the Rhino balls.. 10-10
Chippenham were now getting into the flow of the game and putting the Uni on the back foot and from one attack, the ball was fizzed along the line and John Leko scored a lovely try after crashing over the last two defenders. Smith really didnt like the 80's themed music and missed but Chippenham were up 15-10. As you would expect for a Cup Final, neither side was going to give away a win and the Uni came back strongly and scored a nice try from a 5m scrum after their skilful scrum half created space and then the Centre touching down under the sticks making the kick straightforward and at half-time it was 15-17 with the University just in the lead.
Chippenham made a few changes during the break and brought Jake Aspinall, Semi Nacoko and Foti Faosiliva on and they all made big impacts in the game. However, it was the University that started stronger and they scored a try after backs ran a nice move after stealing ball at breakdown. The extras were added and went to 15-24. Chippenham knew they had plenty of time and Captain Harry Murphy directed the action expertly and soon Chippenham were back scoring a try from an attacking lineout. This time it was the impressive Josh Lever who touched down but Smith couldnt add to the tally and said the announcer put him off. 20-24 and it really was game on. It all got rather tense in front of the loud crowd and both sides coughed up opportunities and Chippenham had a great chance from a 5m scrum but it wasnt to be. Both sides played at a huge tempo and the ball was in play for massive with great handling at pace and then a decision which made a big difference when the Referee gave a yellow card to the impressive Will Hendy, when it was adjudged he deliberately knocked the ball on. The fact the ball went up in the air and Will was unlucky not to regather was irrelevant and Chippenham were down to 14 for 10 minutes with about 14 minutes left to play. Bath University wisely used numbers and put plenty of pace on the ball and it wasnt long before they scored their fourth try, regardless of massive defence from Chippenham. The conversion was added and opened up a 20-31 gap with about 7 minutes left.
Chippenham were not going to give in and they came back strongly and put huge pressure on the Uni line and soon the pummelling produced a nice try from Harry Murphy, which wasnt converted by Smith after the wind suddenly changed direction, leaving it 25-31. Both sides gave everything in the final minutes and Bath Uni had an opportunity to increase lead with penalty kick but the ball hit the post and bounced back into play, after the kicker had taken an age to attempt. At this stage, Chippenham were back to 15 on the pitch and kept the ball well, knowing they needed possession and made good ground but couldnt find many gaps in the Uni defence. Regardless of phase after phase of attacking Rugby and huge encouragement from the stands, it was all too late for Chippenham when the Referee blew for full time.
Chippenham 25-31 Bath University

Respect to the University lads who played really well throughout and kept in the fight against a very tough and determined Chippenham side. Congratulations on the win.
Thanks to the excellent Refereeing team of three who did a great job and the organisers at Bath Rugby Combination. The sponsors sounded like they had a great time and we thank them for their support and big thanks to Bath Rugby for allowing this Cup Final to be played on The Rec - It means a lot to local rugby