CHIPPENHAM'S second string stormed into the semi-finals of the Dorset & Wilts Cup after a great performance in dreadful conditions.

Chippenham started the match the stronger of the two teams and had their first points on the board in five minutes, a try from Dave Burrows which was converted by Paul Clifford.

Chippenham's forwards were dominant in the loose and the home side displayed some good, solid play in the midfield channel. The pressure told on Trowbridge who gave away three penalties during the first half, all of which were converted by Clifford. A driving run again by Dave Burrows, who had a great game, resulted in one of these tries.

But Chippenham were caught napping after a period of sustained pressure and Trowbridge scored a well-deserved try through fly-half Graham Morrison, which heconverted.

Trowbridge scored another try during the half but it was disallowed as it was deemed Neil Stockley had shown a double movement.

Chippenham started the second half as they finished the first.

They were strong in defence but they failed to driving the ball on in the forwards. The backs had limited ball to work with but kicked tactically well.

Trowbridge kept Chippenham on the back foot and and it was not until the last 15 minutes that the home side began to dominate up front and allowing the backs to run with the ball.

The only score in the half came early on, with Clifford kicking another penalty.

Wootton Bassett 3rd 12

Chippenham 3rd 31

CHIPPENHAM fielded a much changed side from their last match away against Bassett.

The visitors started the more positive using the wind to their advantage and pinned Bassett in their half. Chippenham using their forwards to their advantage and dominated in the early minutes.

The first score came after Chippenham's forwards won a loose ball. The ball was fed out to Alun Jones to Matt Spurway who chipped the ball over the defence for Ben Chamberlain to score, the conversion added by Jones.

The second scored followed very quickly. Again the forwards won the ball from a scrum, pushing the Bassett defence back 15 metres for Jones to score a pushover try.

Chippenham continued to dominate possession and a loose kick by Bassett was picked up by the Chippenham backs, who combined well to push the ball into the 22, forcing the home team to kick for touch.

The resulting lineout was won by Ian Bannister, who ran through the defence setting the ball up for the waiting forwards. The ball eventually found Alun Jones who combined well with James Cook and Jon Billet who went over to score.

Bassett finally won some possession and managed to get into the Chippenham half.

Chippenham started the second half as they finished the first with some fine tackling stopping Bassett attacks. But the pressure told on Chippenham and Bassett scored a consolation try.

But Chippenham hit back with the backs again breaking through the Bassett defence and Spurway kicked the ball on for Gareth Jones on his 2nd XV debut, to score in the corner with his first touch of the ball.