South West Division Two East - After an injury to the referee earlier in the season caused this league replay, perhaps a lightning striking the match official was the only thing that could have saved the visitors in the sodden conditions as the match slipped away late in the second half.

Chippenham head coach Rob Alford said the end of the winning run wasn't all doom and gloom.

"We took a very different side this week. We made nine changes to the team we put out three weeks ago.

"We were physically outgunned up front, it was boys against men. Out of the starting pack, six of them came from the club's youth system. Graham Treen at loose head prop is 20 and Karl Parry playing at tight-head prop is 19, so they were giving away 10 years to Abbey in experience."

The wet conditions suited to the home side's style of play and after 17 mins Abbey were awarded a scrummage five metres from the Chippenham line. The reading pack put the visitors under a great deal of pressure and, after the scrum collapsed, the referee awarding a penalty try.

The only score of the game for Chippenham came after 25 mins when the Abbey scrum-half was penalised for holding the ball on the floor. Full-back Paul Clifford duly obliged with the kick.

Going into the half-time break, Abbey had a slender 7-3 lead.

From the restart, Abbey again put Chippenham under a tremendous amount of pressure and the visitors had to work hard and did well to soak it up. There was no disputing the Abbey forwards' dominance.

Chippenham then missed a penalty kick which would have brought the score to 7-6 but 25 mins into the second half, the pressure that Abbey had heaped on Chippenham finally told. They scored a try from a driving maul which was also converted.

Chippenham then found themselves having to defend as Abbey unleashed phase after phase of forward drives.

In the final few minutes of the game, Abbey scored another try. Their centre crashed over the line from close quarters, but the conversion was missed.

Although disappointed at the final result, Alford was in positive mood after the top of the table clash.

"This result puts Abbey on top but only on points difference. Their style of play today was effective, but over the course of the season, they won't win with that style of rugby."

Chippenham have a week off next Saturday from league fixtures but have arranged a friendly against Rosslyn Park.

Alford and his coaching team see this as a test for the squad.

He said: "We could have picked a more local friendly fixture next week but we are trying to improve as a club and playing mickey mouse local rugby won't do us any good at all."

Supporters for the Rosslyn Park fixture are very welcome, and the club are running a bus.

Kick off is at 3pm.

Further details can be obtained by ringing the clubhouse on (01249) 446997.