CHIPPENHAM started this return encounter with Swanage & Wareham very badly. Swans were awarded a penalty more or less from the start when Chippenham infringed just after the kick-off.
Swans kicked to the corner and used their very powerful catch and drive at the lineout.
Chippenham managed to keep them out on their first attempt but let them off the hook by giving away another penalty. This gave Swans a second attempt at the catch and drive lineout. A second attempt was used effectively and this time Swans scored. The try was converted giving them a 7-0 lead early on.
Swans then used this early pressure to their advantage and continued to drive the Chippenham forwards backwards. After ten minutes they kicked another penalty to further increase their lead to ten points.
Chippenham were then awarded a penalty after 14 minutes which was converted by fly-half Dan Reynolds. Reynolds was unlucky with the boot as two further penalties hit the post and Chippenham missed out on six vital points.
After 29 minutes, Swanage again used their powerful catch and drive line out to good effect to score another try and increase the lead to 15-3 going into the half-time break.
After half time Chippenham kicked another penalty which narrowed the score line slightly but Swans scored their third try of the match 11 minutes into the second half with yet another driving maul. This try too was converted taking the score to 22-6.
Just before the full-time whistle Swans took the score to 25-6 and this is how the score remained.
Afterwards Chippenham head coach Rob Alford remained upbeat. He said: "Despite being outgunned in the lineout, we continued with our policy of introducing youth players into the team.
"The front row that finished the game, Grahm Treen, James Foley and Karl Parry was made up of two Under 19s and an Under 20. All three are products of our development squad. The continuing quality of the youth players coming through and will position us for a serious title challenge next season.''
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