Chippenham 3rds v Bath Saracens

Game of two halves - It's a cliche but true!!!

So with the recent poor weather , overnight rain two games at home Cpt Wheeler met up Vice Ceri to do a pitch inspection @10 am and get forking on the standing water. Lady luck on our side and the morning wind soon made the pitches playable all concerned contacted. So the Gentlemen 3rds had 24 eager players to play and then enjoy the 6 nations!! In boggy conditions Gentlemen were soon on the scoreboard with veteran fullback McMillan trundling down the wing to score great start, unconverted by Fielder. On the front foot great field position and from close range the busy Aikman burrowed himself over the try line his muddy face a peach for all to see. The heavy forward pack including the returning Gingell were dominant as usual at scrum time marching Saracens backwards!! From one such position Chippenham pack went over 15 metres to score a pushover try by scrummie Prudhoe how gentlemen of Adams @no 8 to allow , dont think Dean Richards would have?? The slope was working a treat for Chippenham, Wheeler was receiving the ball from kick offs with consummate ease!! Saracens then struck themselves poor alignment and Chippenham players a bit dogged leg in defence conceded not converted. Gentlemen made first sub with surplus 2nd player Will Summers coming on for the unlucky Veteran Hamilton. Gentlemen backs were having a great game considering the conditions Spurway was using great ball wisely unleashing Hanlon, Wallace and Murphy. Chippenham scored again with yet another try by Prudhoe darting from close range. Chippenham finished the half with a yellow card for Dunn for not being 10 metres. Great first half and excellently referee. Half time led to the Gents 22- 5.

So Cpt Wheeler already had cunning plan Baldrick!!! So all U 18: Josh D,Oscar S,Dan T made their senior debuts as well as Josh Smith. Preston, Johnson and Joe Tingey also entered the fray. So we went light on the wing for the sin bin [hindsight], Saracens exploited the miss match with their young back line scoring a quick hat trick of tries..... that slope too was a factor too!! Harding the coach took the ball into contact and forgot the 3 points of contact at all times and had the ball ripped funny as he sat on the floor sulking!!The ship was steadied for a while but Saracens scored again. So the clock had gone past 60 mins and the unfortunate Joe Tingey received a knock quick thinking Saracens physio and Bibble were soon on the scene. Unfortunately seeing stars and numb we called for Ambulance, fortunately and ambulance was on the main pitch for a Combe Down player any chance of a BOGF!! Gentlemen heads were not on the game and were soon conceding a brace of tries. Aikman/Fielder/Hamilton went back on. Gentlemen tried all to get back into the game trundles by Johnson, Treen, Bell to no avail. Some comfort was coming at line out time with Gingell finding the tall Oscar, drive ball was the call and Chippenham went close on two occasions. Hubbard/Treen came on for Wheeler /Bell - Harding went to Captain, the bench emptied!!! Rugby the winner!!
Final Score Chippenham 3rds 22- 41 Bath Saracens.
So thanks to all players, Bath Sarries, a great referee, paramedics NHS, Ceri and the weather for holding off.!!
A note Joe Tingey was released at 2200 all clear.
Man of the match: Darren Mcbibble.
Next week: 16 Feb away to BOA 2nds meet 1300 sharp.