CHIPPENHAM'S defence of the Bath Combination Cup began comfortably with a win over Somerset Premier League side Avon.

Chippenham opened the scoring in the first minute with a try from winger Darren McMillan.

After three minutes Chippenham were penalised for killing the ball and the conversion was duly kicked by Avon.

The response was a try. Dan Reynold ran across the field allowing captain Rupert Crockett to take the inside line and score. The conversion was added by Reynolds who followed this with a penalty after 23 minutes.

Chippenham scored another try when Crockett made a good break before releasing veteran winger Jocelyn Barnes, who crossed the line to score. Reynolds again added the conversion.

The first half finished with Crockett scoring his second try just before the whistle to make it 327-3 to the visitors.

The second half started with Barnes scoring an excellent try from Chippenham's 22 metre line, again Reynolds converted

With the score at 34-3 in Chippenham's favour, loose-head prop Graham Treen found himself in space and made a 15 metre dash for the line with Reynolds converting.

Reynolds then teamed up again with Crockett who was well-supported by open-side flanker Sherratt who went over for the try, converted by Reynolds to make it 48-3.

With the half nearing the end, full- back David Spiers carved his way through the middle of the Avon defence to score with Reynolds completing a successful afternoon with the boot to add the conversion and make it 55-3.

Chippenham will face the winners of Bradford on Avon against Corsham in the next round.