1st XV
Matches
Sat 05 Oct 2019  ·  Wadworth 6X South West 1 East
Chippenham RFC
1st XV
27
20
Buckingham
Chippenham 1stXV 27-20 Buckingham 1stXV - Match report

Chippenham 1stXV 27-20 Buckingham 1stXV - Match report

MATTHEW STEPHEN7 Oct 2019 - 09:31
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Chippenham wanted a big bounce back from last week... and delivered, beating a determined and skillful Buckingham side.

Chippenham returned to Allington Fields on Saturday looking to bounce back from a heavy defeat away at Banbury 7 days before.

As Vice Captain Ben Riley stated, the aim is to make ‘Allington a fortress’, and straight from the off, Chippenham looked intent on doing so. With strong carries from the returning Charlie Palmer and Ed Hendy, Jack Smith was able to make a break into the Buckingham 22. It wasn’t long before the early pressure was turned into points as good hands down the short side released young Alex Christopher to finally open his account for the season. Tom Douglas lost his footing on the soft surface and the score stayed at 5-0.

Shortly after, Chippenham found themselves back in the Bucks 22 and after repeated attempts at the lineout, the pill was finally over the whitewash off the back of a well worked drive, finished by Kieran Atkin. Douglas was wide with the conversion to leave the home side in front by 10-0 up and in control of proceedings.

This started a concerning period up to half time where Chippenham gave away countless penalties and allowed Buckingham’s 10 to kick them back into the game. Their dominant scrum was causing the pack a lot of problems and they eventually shoved over to make it 10-5. It seemed that every time Chippenham built repeated phases, an error would mean they’d find themselves pegged back, and again Buckingham’s strong pack freed up room for the 9 to dart in and score. The conversion missed again left it at 10-10.

Again the penalty count letting Chippenham down and 10 minutes before the half, the referee had lost patience and went to his pocket for what seemed a very very harsh penalty against Douglas, who is normally as clean as a whistle. However, Chippenham held out and it stayed 10-10 at half time.

Another early penalty in the second half allowed Buckingham to take the lead for the first time through the right boot of the 10, 10-13 to Buckingham.

This was the kick up the backside Chippenham needed and all of a sudden they became rampant. The carries were hard, the ball was quick and before they knew it, Christopher was over for his second of the game. Alcorn had taken over the kicking duties and somehow managed to split the sticks from the touch line.

Before long, Chippenham found themselves breaking out from their own 22, Alcorn and Barnett showing great hands to release Christopher to seal his first senior hat trick, Alcorn was short with the conversion and Chippenham were once again in control with the score at 22-13.

The forwards were rampaging now and the continued driving play started to tire the Buckingham defence, with Neli and Angell leading the way. Before long, Palmer latched onto an overthrow at the lineout and ran in from 30 metres untouched by a single green shirt. Kicking boots weren’t on for Chippenham as Alcorn missed from the tee again, however the game looked beyond Buckingham - 27-13.

Buckingham were eventually rewarded for their efforts and finally went over in the corner after valiant defending to repel 4 attempted rolling mauls from Bucks. The 10 nailed the conversion to make it 27-20. Chippenham kept Buckingham in their own 22 for the remaining 10 minutes and the strong defence that was seen all day was rewarded when the 10 missed touch from a penalty, allowing Christopher to send the ball out and finish the game.

A deserved victory for the home team who now look forward to their trip away to Beaconsfield next week.

Tries are like buses for Christopher, you wait ages for one and then 3 turn up at once!

Match Report courtesy of Tom Douglas

#PrideInTheBadge #OneClub #DickosArmy

Match details

Match date

Sat 05 Oct 2019

Kickoff

15:00

Attendance

175

Competition

Wadworth 6X South West 1 East

League position

7
Buckingham
8
Chippenham
Team overview
Further reading

Team Sponsors

Gold Sponsor - MJ Church
Sliver Sponsor - Stonewood Builders
Silver Sponsor - Knorr Bremse
Silver Sponsor - AP Air Ltd
Club Sponsor - Lit Fibre
Bronze Sponsor - Chippenham Motor Company
Club Sponsor - Mander Duffill
Club - Chalkland VETS
General Sponsor - Pewsham Garages
Club Sponsor - Awdry Law
Player Sponsor - retaildirections