Late try wins it for Melksham

Melksham 25

Chippenham ll 23

Melksham hosted Chippenham ll’s for the first of the earlier kick-off times this season.

The home team got off to a very positive start with two tries in the first 10 minutes, both scored by captain Charlie Radcliffe.

The first from a quick tap and go; the second, Radcliffe combining well with Nick Suter after his charging run.

Chippenham rallied and in the second quarter things were reversed with Chippenham hooker scoring from a quick tap and go and a few minutes later another through the backs to score out wide giving them the lead before Alistair Smith clawed back three points from a penalty.

In the second half both teams fought for the next score with possession going to and fro with probing runs from both teams. Two more penalties enabled Chippenham to stretch their lead.

Melksham dug deep and well worked handling between Dave Dyke and replacement winger Jacek Gronkowski saw Dyke over the line for his first of the season. Alistair Smith adding the extras.

With the close score within three points both teams fought for the advantage, the contest broken when scrum half Callum Hurn, in the dying minutes, took a quick tap and go brushing off defenders to take the last score of the game with a bonus point and game winning try.

Man of the match Ben Smith selected by the local game sponsor Andrew Butcher.