Fantastic performance from Chippenham get deserved bonus point win against Salisbury.
Chippenham bounce back after disappointing loss to Bassett last week by scoring 9 tries at Allington Fields.
Chippenham welcomed 7th placed Salisbury with a bonus point desperately needed to move up the table. There was a real sense of determination right from the off and that started with a sharp, intense warm up. The boys were raring to go and that was evident from the off after great hands in the midfield saw Ben Riley steaming down the touchline who didn’t quite have the gas to get him to the line.
Chip continued the pressure by keeping hold of the ball and grinding away at the green and white wall that was Salisbury’s defence inside the 22. However Chip could only muster a penalty which was smartly taken by Al Mackenzie.
This was a sign of what was to come, as Chip dominated the breakdown and the set piece, the tight 5 putting in a real shift. The back row of Chip continued to run direct and hard, resulting in Connor Beer making a break through the middle and was supported by Al Mackenzie who scored the game’s first try and made good with the afters.
Chippenham showing some great defence as Salisbury put on some serious pressure and the Chippenham defence camped on their try line. Tackles flying in from the likes of Hendy, Dickens and Clark keep Salisbury out and force the knock on. Chippenham cleared their lines.
Holes were starting to appear in the Salisbury defence as a young Chippenham side continued to exploit the space with the likes of Oli Alcorn and Louis Ayliffe. Alcorn makes a great break fending of multiple Salisbury players then pinging an inch perfect pass to Nick Hill who slides into the corner on his first game back from injury. Mackenzie bags the conversion from the touchline 17-0.
Chip had their foot on the pedal and were not letting off. Big carries from Angell, Clark and Unwin create the space for Hill to score his brace. Shortly after Alcorn joins the party going over and securing the bonus point with a great solo effort. Extras added.
With 10 minutes left of the half Chip were not finished; a lovely dummy run by Unwin opened up the space for Ayliffe to run in and score the fifth try of the afternoon. Salisbury then hit back with a try of their own, their elusive 15 makes a great break and scores under the sticks. On the stroke of halftime, after both teams going hammer and tong, Alcorn and Unwin combine to score a great team try. HT 43-7.
Chippenham were looking to pick up where they left off however it was the visitors who struck first, slightly closing the deficit. Chippenham then bounced right back with Dickens tearing through the defence and scoring a superb solo try. Chip continue to play with power, pace and precision however Salisbury intercept and run the ball in from the halfway line, the 15 too quick to chase down.
All afternoon Chippenham were playing free flowing rugby moving the ball from touchline to touchline with off loads galore. And creator of one of the first half tries becomes scorer, as Unwin spots the gap and gets the legs going for another try. Mackenzie adds the extras, 55-17.
Salisbury work the short side well and get squeeze into the corner to secure a point from the loss. With the last play of the game Chip save the best till last scoring a great team try and Ayliffe goes in the corner. FT 60-22.
Great win and a cracking game to watch for the spectators. Chippenham looking dangerous with ball in hand from 1 to 15. Back to winning ways for Chip who will look to take that impressive performance into next week’s game at Stratford.
No losses before Christmas is the target set.
# | Team | Pl | Pts |
6. | Beaconsfield | 26 | 65 |
7. | Salisbury | 26 | 62 |
8. | Chippenham | 26 | 62 |
9. | Wimborne | 26 | 60 |
10. | Oxford Harlequins | 26 | 54 |
11. | Trowbridge | 26 | 51 |
12. | Witney | 26 | 44 |