Melksham rally to beat Chippenham 2nd in Dorset & Wilts One North

Chippenham were the stronger side in the early stages and took the lead when intricate backs play led to a try in the corner.

However, Melksham responded well, stringing together some fine play of their own to dominate possession.

Eventually, Alistair Smith chipped the ball behind the defence and a fortunate bounce allowed Lewis Simmons to cross the tryline. Smith put Melksham ahead with the conversion.

The home side then proceeded to dominate, and with the Chippenham penalty count climbing, Smith took the opportunity to push his side further clear.

Despite Melksham’s dominance, Chippenham were gifted a try just before half time through an interception, with the kick putting them 12-10 in front.

Melksham retook the initiative after the change of ends and another Smith penalty put them back in front.

The game then suddenly burst into life, with Callum Gillard making a try-saving tackle to keep the away side at bay.

Melksham were finally able to give themselves breathing space when Luke Cador’s darting run through midfield set up a solo try, with Smith converting.

A yellow card in the closing stages then sealed the win for the hosts as Chippenham were forced to finish the game a man short.

Elsewhere, Warminster suffered their first taste defeat of 2019 when then lost 19-7 at home to second-placed Avonvale.

The hosts started brightly, putting together some good passages of play and good breakdown work gave the backs fast ball.

However, the visiting defence were up to the challenge and stopped whatever Warminster threw at them.

After soaking up the pressure, Avonvale struck first when they countered from a turnover to cross the whitewash for a converted try.

Warminster soon reinserted dominance and were camped on the visitors’ line, but the last-ditch defence kept them at bay.

Avonvale were able to pull further clear before half-time when a good lineout move saw them cross the tryline to pull 14-0 in front.

Warminster skipper Steven Rowbotham urged commitment and belief from his troops, and although the second half will not be remembered for the expansive game which the Amber and Blues try to play, it was instead all about an immense defensive display.

That ferocious defence allowed Warminster to get on the scoreboard as they forced the Avonvale backs to try to spin the ball wide too early, where Ross Williams intercepted to run 80m to score a converted try.

However, Avonvale had the final say to cut short Warminster’s hopes of a comeback as their third try sealed the win.