SUPER confident Chippenham showed just how in form they are on the back of two wins whe they destroyed Wycombe on Saturday.
The back to back victories have raised the tempo of their game and expectations from the watching spectators and coaches.
Playing in a bitterly cold wind at Allington Field, the game started with both teams appearing to weigh each other in the opening minutes.
Chippenham were awarded a penalty after 12 minutes for hands in the ruck . It was converted by full-back James Barnard.
This was closely followed by a try scored by David Spiers. Spiers picked up the loose ball and made a good break through the Wycombe defence. Barnard added the conversion.
Ten minutes later Spiers weaved his way through four tackles before releasing prop John Beart who went over the line to score a unconverted try.
This gave the home side a 15 -0 lead at half time.
Coming out after the half-time break, Chippenham then unleashed a lesson in how to score tries.
After some great scrummaging by the Chippenham pack, who took the ball against the head, captain Rupert Crockett made a break, releasing Matt Spurway to finish off the move. Barnard added the conversion.
Spiers then completed his hat-trick scoring a try wide on the left wing, again converted by Barnard. Barnard himself then went over to score, although missing the conversion.
Two tries from Crockett, Tim Dunford, Andy Davey, and two more from Spiers to bring his tally for the game to five, completely demolished High Wycombe who could not find an answer. Barnard converted two tries with Jenkins added another.
Afterwards Chippenham coach John Rumble said: "This was a very pleasing performance from Chippenham. We put High Wycombe under a great deal of pressure, especially in the second half, and we scored some great tries.''
Chippenham 3rd 43 Gordano 2nd 19
ON a windy day, the home side won the toss, electing to play with the wind first half.
But Chippenham immieiately took the game to Gordano and put three points on the board within two mins.
A deep speculative kick deep into the 22 was collected and fed to full-back Julian Squires, who forced his way over from five metres out.
Gordano replied putting pressure on Chippenham, resulting in a converted try after several phases of play.
Chippenham responded putting on the pressure and repeatedly pushing towards the Gordano line. But Gordano used the wind, clearing their lines with long kicks pushing Chippenham back.
Before half-time, Chippenham managed to cross the line twice. John Billet coming off his wing to cross in the opposite corner and good hands from the backs gave centre Dave Wells his first try of the day.
Straight from the restart, Wells scored again with a run under the posts from 40 metres out.
There then followed a long period of pressure from Gordano - repeated phases from their forwards drove Chippenham deep into their own 22.
But Chippenham were also able to use the wind to clear their lines.
Despite some solid Chippenham defending, Gordano crossed midway through the second half, their second row breaking several tackles to cross in the corner.
Chippenham came back again. A Gordano lineout in their own 22 was knocked on, collected by Clifford. He spread the ball wide to Squires to score his second. Wells then crossed for his hat-trick in the dying minutes of the game.
Team captain Phil Coope said afterwards: "I am really happy with the way we played today. We were forced into some last minute changes, played some players out of position but despite this, everyone pulled together as a team. This was probably one of our best performances so far this season.''
Malmesbury 18 Chippenham 3rd 6
THE home side made the better of their attacking chances and stubbornly defended their own try-line to emerge the winners by a goal, two penalty goals and a try to two penalty goals.
Malmesbury's opening attack was repulsed and it soon became clear that the visitors had the stronger pack. However, David Worker fought for a loose ball, won it and scored under the posts. Kevin Tillotson put the ball between the uprights to give the home team a 7-0 lead.
David Worker took a penalty goal after the visitors were caught offside during a spell of disrupted play. Gordon Hardie then kicked a penalty for the visitors to make the score 10 -3.
Andy Carvell recieved one of Worker's clearance kicks in his own half and made an impressive run just before half time, but his efforts were stifled by sound Malmesbury defence.
Malmesbury went further into the lead immediately after the restart. Their pack won the ball against the head. The ball went to centre and James made a run up the field.
Mark Hunt looped outside him and passed to Matt Leader, who scored in the corner. Worker failed with his conversion attempt, but slotted another penlty goal soon afterwards.
An offside decision gave Hardie another scoring opportunity; his successful kick making the scores 18-6 to the home side.
A thrusting run by Dorian James almost gave the home side another try, but the referee ruled him in touch.
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