A TRY from skipper Rupert Crockett helped Chippenham return to winning ways with their first victory at Reading side Abbey in five attempts.

Abbey's forwards revel in the confines of the narrow Rose Hill ground and, to counter this, Ian McNerlin returned on the blind side for Chippenham replacing Gary Squires.

Matt Spurway also replaced Gary Champion at outside centre, while winger Darren McMillan was nursing a minor shoulder injury which allowed James Barnard to return as full back.

Barnard immediately signalled his return with an early penalty but this was cancelled out moments later by the home side.

Abbey then capitalised on a Chippenham line error to get in behind the defence.

A kick ahead by the Abbey winger saw him win a race to the line to score a converted try.

Barnard then missed two penalty kicks but, despite this, Chippenham came back and looked the most likely side to score. Barnard kicked his fourth attempt at goal on the stroke of half-time to cut the hosts' advantage to four points at the interval.

The second half saw some confident play from Chippenham, with their defence continually enforcing handling errors from Abbey.

Barnard kicked a third penalty and, on the hour, Chippenham finally broke through and crossed the Abbey line.

Eddie Smith broke from the halfway line and combined well with scrum-half Tim Dunford, presenting captain Crockett with a clear run to the line.

Barnard converted and added a penalty minutes later to put Chippenham into the lead for the first time in the match.

Chippenham prop Terry May was replaced through injury and this enforced change seemed to unsettle the visitors' game.

It was during this period Abbey took advantage but their winger wasted a fine opportunity to score.

They added a penalty kick to reduce the deficit to 19-13, but as the game entered the final five minutes Chippenham attacked with a number of drives to the line, only to be held up metres short.

Chippenham travel to Maidenhead on Saturday looking for victory over a side relegated from South West One last term.

Maidenhead have had a mixed start to the season, losing narrowly to Swanage at home and defeating Amersham at the weekend.