Chippenham solid win against Witney

Chippenham climbed to 5th in South West 1 East with a hard-fought bonus-point win 36-22 over a strong Witney side.

The game started very quickly, with both teams piling on the pressure. Witney were awarded an early penalty, which was pushed wide, and Chippenham came close through scrumhalf Tom Fogerty only to be brought back for an earlier knock-on.

It was Chippenham who struck first on the scoreboard, 11 minutes into the game winger Brad Doggett (Sponsored by James Long Masons) went over in the corner following good hands for an unconverted score, 5-0. It didn’t take long for Chippenham long to strike again, with Fogerty diving over following some strong possession. Dominic Riccio (Sponsored by Stonewood Builders) landing the conversion, 12-0.

Witney then struck back with an unconverted score, pouncing on a poor kick in open play to score from their own half. On the stroke of half time, some great poaching at the lineout from second-row Matt Bye saw full-back William Waddington (Sponsored by Old School) going over in the corner, Riccio adding the extras. HT 17-5 to Chippenham.

Chippenham started the second half the stronger team, with Captain Charlie Palmer (Sponsored by John Gillespie) going over after 4 minutes following great inter-play with the backs and forwards, Riccio again converting. Following a superb break from Waddington, Centre Jacob Unwin (Sponsored by John Gillespie) found himself in acres of space to go over for Chippenham’s 5th try, Riccio again successful from the tee to take the score to 31-5.

Witney weren’t going to take defeat lying down, taking advantage of some poor Chippenham discipline to go over for two quick scores through slick hands from their backline, they converted one of their scores. 31-17. Unwin then struck back for his second, thanks to winger Matt Dickens (Sponsored by John Gillespie) sucking in the Witney defence with a superb supporting line. Witney had the final say, scoring a deserved bonus point try, which was unconverted. Full time score was 36-22 to Chippenham, a well earned home win for the boys in black and white.