GRANT Trewartha scored a stoppage time try as Chippenham kept their South West Division Two play-off hopes alive thanks to a stunning second half fightback at Tadley on Saturday 16 March.

The relegation-haunted hosts began well as they went in search of a victory to aid their bid to avoid the drop.

With their fly-half dictating the play, they raced into an early 12-0 lead.

Chippenham were struggling to find any rhythm and could only stand and watch as the Tadley number ten raced through a huge gap in the home defence to score a try, which he converted to open up a 19-point advantage.

Things got worse for the visitors when number eight Kevin Thornton was sin-binned for stamping but, down to 14 men, Chippenham reduced arrears thanks to a try from Kenny Brown moments before the break.

Chippenham were restored to full-strength after the interval and their pressure told with 20 minutes left when Rupert Crockett found a gap in the home defence to score. With James Barnard adding the conversion, the deficit was reduced to seven points.

The referee then added to the afternoon's drama by sending off a Tadley player, sin-binning Chippenham skipper Scott Sherratt and then curiously awarding Tadley a penalty in front of the posts, which they accepted to extend their lead to ten points.

Barnard then responded with a converted try with ten minutes left to bring his side to within three points of the hosts and the same player began the counter attack in injury time that saw his side grab a vital league win.

Lock Neil Watkins and replacement flanker Gary Squires then linked with the full back and eventually the ball reached winger Trewartha, who dived over in the corner to score.

Barnard then coolly slotted the conversion to the sound of the final whistle.

Chippenham entertain South West Division One side Swanage and Wareham in the semi-final of the Dorset & Wilts Cup on Saturday.