RUGBY: Chinnor 40 Chippenham 28 (From Wiltshire Times)

RUGBY: Chinnor 40 Chippenham 28

5:30pm Tuesday 24th April 2012 in Local Rugby

CHIPPENHAM were heroic in defeat against promotion play-off bound Chinnor after playing virtually the entire match with 14 men.

The visitors managed a try bonus point in their final National Three South West clash of the campaign as they claimed a best-ever league finish.

Jason Forster’s men looked in big trouble when lock Adrian Price was shown a red card after a punch-up inside the first 10 minutes, yet they opened the scoring when captain and number eight Bobby Lyons touched down, Sam Saunders converting.

Chinnor hit back with a try from Seymour, converted by James Cathcart but Chippenham continued to take the game to their hosts, Ryan Surry going over and Saunders again converting.

The visitors’ committed defending and chasing continued to make life difficult for Chinnor, who reduced arrears to two points before half time as Chippenham fly-half Chris Simmons, suffering from a heavy blow, lost his bearings and scrum-half Frank Jones scored.

The hosts grabbed the lead early in the second half through Joe Pickett, Cathcart converting and after losing Christian Novik to injury, his replacement Calum McConnell was shown a yellow card.

Down to six men in the pack, they held their own and even disrupted the Chinnor scrum, although Liam Gilbert’s try and Cathcart’s extras extended the home lead.

Chippenham still would not lie down, with prop Tom Dunn driving over from short range and Saunders converting.

Nick Harrison and Alex Waddingham added further scores, Cathcart converting both, as Chippenham tired, but they had the last say when Jon Turner drove over, Saunders adding the extras.

Chippenham were due to close their season with the Bath Combination Cup Final at the Rec last night.

MORE SPORTS NEWS & PICTURES IN THURSDAY'S GAZETTE & HERALD AND FRIDAY'S WILTSHIRE TIMES

Comments are closed on this article.