CHIPPENHAM strolled into the semi-finals of the Dorset & Wilts Cup without touching a ball but their route to the final has got a lot tougher.
The Allington Field side were handed a walkover into the last four of the county competition when scheduled opponents Bournemouth conceded the tie on Saturday.
But Chippenham, who have roared back to form with eight wins out of eight since the appointment of a new coaching team in October, will now face competition favourites Swanage & Wareham in the semi-final on January 17.
Swanage, with a 100 per cent winning record in South West Two East this season, justified their favouritism by thumping Devizes 48-0 in their quarter-final.
Devizes were never in contention, once wing Andy Gould crossed for the Swans in the opening seconds.
Further tries followed for prop Adrian Murray, who scored twice, plus full-back Chris Leak and wing Tim Marshall. Substitute Jock Meeham added another after the break, with Leak and centre Phil Graves knocking over two conversions each.
Oakmedians and Salisbury will met in the other semi.
In the Dorset & Wilts 1st XV Vase, Wootton Bassett will face Sherborne in a delayed second round tie, after Sherborne disposed of Puddletown 36-3 in their first round clash.
But Minety's hopes of facing Swindon in the second round were dashed when they lost 17-15 to Cooper Avon Tyres at home despite a brave second-half fightback.
Swindon will now travel to Melksham at a date to be arranged, with Calne awaiting the winners in the last eight.
Swanage and Wareham 2nd overcame wet and windy conditions to comprehensively beat Devizes 2nd 28-0 in the Dorset and Wilts 2nd XV Cup.
A fit, youthful and well drilled Swanage controlled possession and territory for most of the game. Only the courageous tackling of Mark Davies, Tim Kamei, Gareth Jones and Mike McCrum prevented Swans from winning by a larger margin.
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