CHIPPENHAM go into a cup final battle tonight against Keynsham at The Rec in Bath after a hard-fought win in Saturday's semi.

Chippenham stormed ahead but let Walcot back into the game in the second half and only a converted try by full-back David Spiers killed off the home side's resistance.

For most of this half, Chippenham spent long periods of time around the Walcot 22. But despite the possession, they did not take advantage and did not put enough points on the board to reflect this.

Chippenham opened the scoring after being awarded a penalty within minutes of the game starting which was duly kicked by Spiers.

Their first try soon followed, scored by Matt Spurway. Pressure from Gary Champion on the Walcott winger created the opportunity for Spurway to go over and Spiers slotted over the conversion to make it 10-0 to Chippenham.

Just before half-time Walcot were awarded a penalty which went over to leave it 10-3 at the break.

The second period saw Chippenham kicking for touch and position, which made life difficult for Walcott. A pick up by Koroi Misimisi fed scrum-half Tim Dunford, who played back inside to Gary Squires and he went over the line to make it 15-3.

Walcot came back into the game and enjoyed a good spell of possession, which brought them a try, which was converted to cut the visitors' lead to five points.

Kevin Thornton was brought on to replace Ben Shuker to boost Chippenham's lineout. Chippenham continued to apply the pressure and Walcott were kept on the back foot.

The deciding try came from Spiers after some good interlinking play between the backs and the forwards. Spiers converted his own try. The scorer got up to make the conversion and put the game beyond the home side's reach. With the game safe Chippenham coach Rob Alford felt safe to make further changes.

Tom Spence was replaced by John Angell and club stalwart Kenny Brown was brought on to replace Andy Davey.

John Beart was sent to the sinbin late in the game. Coming back from an offside position the referee decided that he was interfering with play and so he was off.

Koroi was then replaced by Kary Parry-Curtis and Chippenham had to play the last ten minutes with 14 players.

Walcot tried desperately to take advantage of having the extra man and were held up several times by Chippenham's seven man pack near their line. But despite their efforts Chippenham held on and now go on to the final for the chance to make it a hat-trick of wins in the competition.

Alford said: "I am satisfied with the win although I felt that we made hard work of it. We played well in patches and our decision-making was poor. We should have had Walcot dead and buried by half-time.''

Before the final Devizes and Stothert & Pitt will contest the final of the Plate at 6pm.