Chippenham sneak through

IT was a relieved Chippenham side that went through to the third round of the NPI Cup, as they sneaked a victory against a side two divisions below them in the league set up.

After the previous week's demolition of Olney, this was not what the visiting supporters were expecting, but some woeful play by Chippenham, coupled with Avon's determined effort, kept nerves jangling until the final minutes of a closely fought contest.

An early penalty from fly half Trevor Lloyd failed to provide the platform for the visitors to build on and it was Avon who hit back immediately with a try from a scrum on the Chippenham 22 after some poor defending.

Chippenham replied with a well taken try from winger Darren McMillan, who followed a speculative kick, catching the Avon full back in position before ripping the ball out and falling over the line to score.

The second half was an error strewn 40 minutes from both sides and Chippenham's only bright moment was an excellent second try finished by winger McMillan after some good handling by the midfield pairing of Tom and Rupert Crockett. Another penalty from Lloyd soon after should have seen Chippenham pull away for a comfortable victory, but it was Avon who finished the stronger, scoring a short range try and penalty to come within three points of the visitors at the final whistle.

Chippenham will need to raise their game when they return to South West Two league action on Saturday with a potentially difficult away game at High Wycombe.

Chippenham under 14s 12, Newbury under 14s 10

WITH a much rearranged team, Chippenham had to fight hard to come away with a win in this very evenly contested game.

Newbury turned up without a recognised front row so the game had to be played with uncontested scrums.

After a short break for an injury to one of the Newbury players, Chippenham went to sleep and after a number of penalty infringements and not retreating the full ten metres Newbury kicked a penalty in front of the posts.

From the restart Chippenham put Newbury under more pressure, but their failure to control the ball saw their centre break out of defence and drawing the Chippenham full back to make the tackle delivered a perfectly flighted ball for the supporting winger to race 40 metres to touch down and then kick the conversion.

Chippenham came out for the second half full of commitment. Playing down the slope, the Chippenham forwards ran hard at the Newbury line. Some powerful runs from Guy Charlesworth and Stuart Gunn were thwarted by some resolute and brave defence by Newbury.

The constant pressure finally paid off and Chippenham managed to click into top gear and two fast and ferocious rucks sucked in most of Newbury's defence and the ball was spun fast and wide for centre Sam Alford to waltz in unopposed for the try.

With the clock running down a ruck close to the touch line just inside the Newbury half their fly half went a kick from the Newbury fly half was charged down by newcomer Kieren Marshall, who gathered the ball and raced to score ten metres from the posts.

Fly half Chris Hunt drilled the conversion through the centre of the posts to win the game for his team.

Devizes 2nds 36, Weymouth 2nds 5

IN front of an expectant home crowd at the new clubhouse, Devizes went out to prove that last week was just a temporary dip in form.

Playing against a Weymouth side that looked a lot bigger than the home side, Devizes started at a tremendous pace, applying constant pressure to the visitors' line.

Excellent hard work by the forwards created an opportunity for the backs to use good ball, sending Ian Cooke over in the corner with only 10 minutes gone.

More good work from the pack enabled Chris Maundrell to score from a push-over try, and Devizes veterans team skipper Will Crosby was able to pinch a ball from a Weymouth scrum to scurry over the line for another good pressure try.

Just before half-time more forward pressure saw flanker Jamie Martin steer a fine maul over the line and claim the touchdown.

Devizes looked to be off to another good start in the second half, when Martin scored his third try in two games, but then took took their foot off the pedal and Weymouth scored a deserved try.

The Devizes forwards regained some better possession that enabled some good handling in the backs to allow fly half Wallbridge to score with the last play of the game.

This week Devizes are home to Minety, kick-off 3 pm.

Minety 10 Devizes 3rds 12

DEVIZES found themselves playing against a Minety side with a huge pack.

Some good kicking and running meant that Devizes were a constant attacking threat to the Minety try line, but they could not convert the pressure into points.

Minety were not able to maintain there rear guard defence, and on 20 minutes Ian Smith crashed over the line from five yards off the back of a fine rolling maul.

Another good attack by the Devizes back row saw them on the Minety 10-yard line. Simon Hale broke again from a rolling maul to race over for the second try, Trevor Lowe adding the extras.

Minety's points came from two breakaway tries against the run of play.

Devizes must cut down on the errors to deny the opposition the chances to score once they meet stronger opponents.

Malmesbury 5, Wootton Bassett 3rds 26

MALMESBURY'S visitors on Saturday were a much strengthened Bassett 3rd XV who brought a large, well organised pack of forwards and big backs.

The home side however, played to their strengths, solid scrummaging and direct running, giving the Bassett side a good run for their victory.

In fact, Adrian Jacques crossed the line for Malmesbury in the first 15 minutes. Had the try been awarded, the game might have had a different conclusion, but instead, Bassett scored first and went on to win by three goals and a try to Malmesbury's unconverted try.

Richard Gaunt scored Malmesbury's only try.