Given the dreadful playing conditions, high winds and driving rain, the opening exchanges in this practice match were fast and furious.

Chippenham spent considerable period camped in the Clifton half of the pitch, but the very wet conditions made the ball very slippery and passing became an art form.

A good break by full-back Gary Squires looked like it may result in the first points, but the final pass went astray.

Chippenham did eventually go over the line, the try disallowed, but they maintained the pressure on Clifton and Graham Treen soon claimed the opening points on the half hour.

From the restart, Clifton still found themselves in their own half and another break by Chippenham saw Alex Ferraday go through for a try under the posts.

The second half saw a continuation of the first, with Chippenham remaining dominant in all areas of play.

As the conditions began to take its toll, head coach Rob Alford made some changes. Scott Sherratt and Tom Spence were brought on to replace Koi Misimisi and John Angel. Later in the half, Hamish Morton was replaced by Ben Shuker and Treen also went off.

Goal kicking was not easy and Chippenham missed two penalty attempts but the final points of the half came from Ryan Surry. Catching a lovely through kick he went over in the corner for an unconverted try.

Afterwards, Alford was satisfied with his players' efforts. He said: "Given the atrocious playing conditions, I thought we did well. The referee played the game in the right manner, not penalising everything and the game flowed as best it could in the conditions."

Chippenham return to league next week with a home fixture against Windsor.