Amersham & Chiltern 1st XV 17 - 24 Chippenham

Amersham & Chiltern just pipped by Chippenham in the last minute.

Amersham & Chiltern 17 – 24 Chippenham

Amersham & Chiltern took on Wiltshire side, Chippenham, last Saturday 8th October and lost a tight game to a try in injury time. The home side started well and were camped in the Chippenham half from the kick-off. A line-out on the visitor’s 5 metre line was won and the ball moved swiftly right. A break by flanker, Wayne Wilson and a short pass to centre, Ross Bugden saw him touch down near the posts, converted by Dan Kinsey, for a 7 – 0 lead. Then followed a long period of attrition by both sides until, just before half time, a mix-up in the centre by Chiltern led to turn-over ball. Good pressure by the visitors then saw them take possession right up to the Chiltern line and it ended in a well taken try, converted, to level the score at 7 – 7 at half-time.

The second half started with Chippenham using their heavier forwards to drive into the home side’s half. A penalty was kicked to touch on the Chiltern 5 metre line and a catch and drive found the home sign unable to cope and Chippenham touched down again on the right. Unconverted, the score moved to 12 – 7 in the visitor’s favour.

Ten minutes later, however, a superb break by centre, Sam Portland forced a scrum on the visitor’s 5 metre line. Chiltern won good ball and a drive, pick-up at the back and quick pass saw a score for scrum-half, Dwayne Polataivao. Kinsey missed the conversion, so the scores were levelled again at 12 – 12. Chiltern were having all kinds of problems with the heavy Chippenham forwards, who exploited the driving mauls really well and another catch and drive from a lineout near the home side’s line on the hour, ended in another try and, with the conversion missed, a lead again of 17 – 12. With six minutes of ordinary time left, however, Chiltern broke out into the visitor’s half and drove upfield using their speedy backs and forced a scrum on the Chippenham line. A good heel, drive and pick up by No.8, Tom Grammenos saw him touch down near the right hand corner. Kinsey again missed a difficult conversion, but the scores were levelled at 17 – 17. Chiltern were then starting to believe that they could win this game, but, from the restart, again, Chippenham’s larger, heavier forwards drove the ball upfield. A rolling maul that the tiring home side had no answer to, took the ball right up to the Chiltern line and the immense pressure finally told, with the visitors touching down near the right hand corner. Having missed all his kicks up until then, the Chippenham kicker converted from the touch-line, regaining the lead at 24 – 17. With only minutes of injury time still remaining, Chiltern launched a final attack, but it eventually broke down and the final whistle sounded with Chippenham taking the honours 24 – 17.