THIS emphatic return to form enabled everyone at Chippenham to breathe a sigh of relief after the shock Bath Combination Cup final loss to Walcot the previous Wednesday.

The Wiltshire club can now go into Saturday's playoff on the back of a resounding win and the promise of the same flowing rugby which was displayed in this fixture.

The first try came within five minutes, winger Ryan Surry the beneficiary, and captain Rupert Crockett added another soon after.

Two Andy Wiliamson conversions meant Chippenham led 14-0 after just 15 minutes.

Oakmedians were creating chances, and after a try-saving tackle from Chippenham's Dave Martin, winger Darren McMillan spotted an opportunity and streaked away to make it 19-0.

Prop Mark Livesey added a fourth, back rower Hamish Morton a fifth and Scott Sherratt's touch down made it 34-0 at the break.

The second produced more of the same with the home side dominating in all areas of play.

Morton and Crockett both added their second try of the game and perhaps the best five pointer of the day saw McMillan score in the corner with a quite brilliant individual effort.

At 51-0 up and cruising towards the final whistle, Chippenham relaxed. Oakmedians took advantage and scored a fine consolation try through their outside centre.

McMillan completed the rout and his hat trick with the final score of the game and Chippenham were more or less back to their best.

By beating Oakmedians, Chippenham ensured they have completed the double over every other Dorset and Wilts team in the league, certainly a first for the club.

Victory in Saturday's playoff will ensure they achieve the highest ranking of any club in Dorset and Wilts as well and Alford said it was crucial his side put in an impressive performance against Oakmedians.

"There was a fair drop in confidence after the loss in the cup final, a fair few heads were down, but we let the shackles off on Saturday and it did us a world of good I think.

"A few players in particular needed a good match under their belts before the play-off. Darren McMillan's hat- trick was important, he's been a bit off form lately.

"Because we are a young side the loss really knocked us about, but we seem to be back on track now," he said.