CRFC - Minis

Chippenham Rugby Football Club held their annual Mini Festival at their Allington Field headquarters on Sunday.

Over one thousand players, officials, coaches, parents and siblings descended on the clubhouse on a cold, but sunny day for a long, hard day’s rugby.

The Chairman of Chippenham’s Mini playing section, Nick Burroughs was very pleased with the way that the Festival had run and was quick to praise the players and everyone involved for the smooth running of the day. He said; ‘The quality of rugby played today was of the highest standard and all the players were keen to get involved in their respective matches. But at the end of the day, it is all about fun and enjoy the day. If their team did well and won, that is a bonus.’

Burroughs was also quick to acknowledge the hard work of club officials. He said; ‘The staff in the kitchen did a magnificent job in providing food, drinks etc all day and without the help of volunteers to man the barbeque, there would have been some very hungry people walking around. They did a great job.’

As with previous years, the Festival was sponsored by Sytner Mercedes-Benz. The Managing Director of Sytner Mecedes-Benz in Chippenham, Mike Fellows added his praise. He said; ‘The Chippenham Mini Festival was a huge success this year with some fantastic rugby played across all the age groups. The games were played with great passion and demonstrated both skill and commitment from all the players. This is the fifth year that Sytner Mercedes-Benz has sponsored this prestigious event and we are proud to be involved in it’s success as the Festival attracts some of the top clubs in the region’

Fellows went on; ‘Through our connection with Bristol Rugby we invivted Joe El Abd to present the trophies and medals to the winners which added to the occasion. As a business we are keen to support the local community and use our relationship to help others.’

Roll of Honour;

Under 7s;
Winners; Bath ‘B’
Runners-up; Chippenham A

Under 8s;
Winners; Rhiwbina
Runenrs-up; Bath ‘A’

Under 9s;
Winners; Salisbury
Runners-up; Rhiwbina

Under 10s;
Winners; Stroud
Runners-up; Cleve

Continued;
Under 11s;
Winners; Chippenham
Runners-up; Rhiwbina

Under 12s;
Winners; Bath ‘A’
Runners-up; Chippenham

Under 9s

POOL A:
Chippenham A 0 -v- Marlborough 2
Wotton Bassett 0 -v- Chippenham A 2 (Dan Carter 2)
Bath 5 -v- Wootton Bassett 0
Marlborough 3 -v- Bath 0
Chippenham A 2 -v- Bath 1 (Chippenham tries from Dan Carter, Alex Bowers)
Wootton Bassett 0 -v- Marlborough 5

A great result for Chippenham A. They finished second in their table behind Marlborough. The Bath game in particular was a solid result for Chippenham Rugby Football Club. Good all round team-play.

POOL B:
Stroud 0 -v- Salisbury 4
Rhiwbina 4 -v- Chippenham B 0
Cleve 4 -v- Stroud 0
Salisbury 1 -v- Rhiwbina 1
Chippenham B 0 -v- Cleve 3
Stroud 0 -v- Rhiwbina 4
Salisbury 6 -v- Chippenham B 0
Rhiwbina 1 -v- Cleve 1
Stroud 6 -v- Chippenham B 0
Cleve 0 -v- Salisbury 4

Salisbury emerged as winners of Pool B with the team from Rhiwbina in second place.

Semi-final Salisbury 6 -v- Chippenham A 0
Marlborough 1 -v- Rhiwbina 2

Final; Salisbury 1 -v- Rhiwbina 1
The first try was scored by Salisbury so they took the trophy and were crowned as winners of the U9s age group.

2nd/3rd Place; Marlborough 5 -v- Chippenham A 0

Under 11s;

The Under 11s age group fielded two teams at the Chippenham Mini Festival last Sunday. Chippenham A were drawn in Pool A.

Chippenham A 4 –v- Marlborough 0
The first game against Marlborough, missing a key player, was unusual for this traditionally slow starting team. Four tries in the first half from Carter (with two), Turek and Waters indicated that the team were well prepared for this tournament. The second half proved to be a different matter with the Marlborough forwards utilising good body positons in the rucks and mauls and thereby spoiling much of the possession for their opposition’s backs. An injury to Mackenzie caused some concern as he was carried from the field with a twisted ankle. There were no further scores in this game.

Chippenham A 4 –v- Wootton Bassett 0
A short break was followed by Wootton Bassett and a similar final score. Carter again, Turner (with two) and Logout demonstrated that Chippenham had the measure of their opponents but again the opposition were spirited in their defence. Mackenzie’s return for the first half was a welcome sight. Gaunt took the ball goig forward from the scrums and made good grould for which he received full praise from the coach – much to his surprise.

Chippenham A 1 -v- Clifton A 0
Clifton A proved likely to be the closest match in the pool stages with the opposition back line being identified as dangerous from their earlier games and so it proved. The game plan of restricting the possession available to these players proved successful thanks to the hard work of the forwards. Having secured the ball at a lienout, it then went through the hands of all the Chippenham back line until reaching Davies in space. He scored the only try of the game. The result could have been more convincing but for a couple of dropped catches.

Chippenham A 3 –v- Bath 1
The forwards of Bath A were the perceived threat in the final game of the pool stages. However, yet again, the forwards worked hard to win clean ball for the backs to utilise efficitnly. Early pressure on the Bath line resulted in a poor clearance kick, collected by Davies making good ground. Bath should hae identified this threat but moments later a second poor clearance gave Davies a further chance and he ran in to score an excellent individual try. Despite several attacks down the blind-side, the Bath wings’s tackling proved strong until Whetton and Hurring combined well and from the ensuing ruck, Logout crossed the line for his first try of the day. Gaunt added the third try.

Semi-final;
Chippenham A 3 –v- Salisbury 1
The semi-final matched Chippenham against Salisbury. Early pressure involving Hurring forced a maul from which Carter rumbled over for the opening try. Gaunt again working the blind-side, scored after a dummy move. From the kickoff, Chippenham made the fatal mistake of allowing the ball to bounce and Salisbury reacting the quickest, collected the ball and crossed for the only try conceded by Chippenham all day.
In the second half, Logout again appeared out of the ruck with the ball to feed Tuek to score and secure a place in the final.

FINAL:
Chippenham A 1 –v- Rhiwbina 0
The final saw a rematch of the 2007 final. The home side facing Rhiwbina. The Welsh team had been convincing in their pool matches and so it seemed inevitable that the early pressure from Rhiwbina would produce a score with almost all of the first half spent camped on the Chippenham line. The resilience of the forwards was quite astounding with many try saving tackles and a huge effort in the mauls and scrums to resist the larger opposition’s forwards. The body language from the players as they jumped up from their half-time team talk indicated that mentally they were still in this game. Despite constantly winning ball against the head in the scrums, Chippenham managed to take the game to Rhiwbina and gained field position on several occasions but a try seemed a remote possibility. Until in the final play of the game, the pressure from the back line and in particular Mackenzie. His relentless pressure on his opposite number resulted in a hurried pass. This was seized upon by Waters to run in unopposed for the only and winning try. A moment to remember for the scorer matched only by the hug from his Mum after she ran onto the field of play. The joy of the team was apparent for all to see and so very richly deserved for their spirit and effort put in throughout the season.

Under 11s

Chippenham’s Under 11s B team was drawn in Pool B with teams from Rhiwbina, Salisbury, Stroud and Cleve.

Chippenham B –v- Rhiwbina
First up for the B team was last year’s Festival winners, Rhiwbina. The match did not start well with the visitors running in three early tries. Chippenham’s poor tackling letting them down. Dutton made a good try-saving tackle but they conceded a fourth try just prior to the half-time whistle. The Chippenham forwards competed very well against the opposition at set pieces but it was poor tackling and a leaky defence that saw the visitors add another unanswered four treis.

Chippenham B –v- Cleve
Cleve were the opponents in the second match and Chippenham bounced back well from their opening defeat. Having conceded an early try, Chippenham came back to the Cleve line following a penalty and a good run from Taylor. Enderby picked up from the ensuing ruck and dived over on the blind-side to level the score. The second half saw Chippenham take the lead when Coker did very well to pick up a loose ball close to the halfway line. Cleve replied to level again soon afterwards, after Chippenham had given possession away following a loose kick. But the home team secured the victory after Parsons cleverly smuggled the ball from Taylor at a maul close the Cleve line and timed his run well to jink his way through the defence.

Chippenham B –v- Salisbury
The match against Salisbury saw Chippenham’s commitment fall away and poor tackling let them down conceding four tries before the half-time whistle. They showed greater spirit in the second half and held an imaginative Salisbury well, before conceding another two late tries.

Chippenham B –v- Stroud
The final match of the pool stages for Chippenham B was against Stroud. The early stages were scrappy with both sides apparently evenly matched with Chippenham showing greater strength in defence. But the deadlock was broken by a runaway try from Stroud. This was quickly followed with a second just before the break. The second half saw the home team play much better competing well for the ball but unable to get on the score sheet. Stroud finally added a third just before the whistle and so ended the B team’s Festival for this year.

Under 12s

Chippenham’s Under 12 squad entered their final Festival as Mini players with a determination to go out on a high.

Chippenham 4 –v- Marlborough 0
Within two minutes of this first pool game, Bradley opened the scoring and Jim opened his account some thirty seconds later. Chippenham continued to play open flowing rugby and a third try from Bradley came before the half-time break. Straight from the kick-off for the second half, Cameron added Chippenham’s fourth and final try.

Chippenham 4 –v- Wootton Bassett 1
The second game against local opposition Wootton Bassett looked to be more the same with contender for Most Improved Player, Cameroun Garty charging over to score with less than thirty seconds on the clock. However, the next few mintues were closely contested and Bassett were rewarded with a try. It was not long before Chippenham were back on track with Kieran putting them back in the lead before the half-time break. The second half saw tries from Cameron G and Connall to tie up the game and the victory.

Chippenham 3 –v- Clifton 1
The third game in the pool stages looked to be the one to decide the group and the first half was a tough contest. The first try went to Clifton and that appeared to be the one which would decide the half. But on the stroke of the half-time, Conall levelled the score. The second half saw two more tries for Chippenham from Ed and Kieran.

Chippenham 4 -v- Bath B 0
The final pool game was against Bath B and despite a spirited challenge from the visitors, Chippenham were now on a roll, with tries from Conall, Jim and two for Bradley.

Having finished on top of their group, Chippenham were drawn against Cleve in the semi-final stage.

Semi-final;
Chippenham 2 –v- Cleve 1
In a tight game, Chippenham managed to score twice through tries from Conall and Cameron before pressure from Cleve brought them a try.

FINAL:
Chippenham 0 –v- Bath 3
The final saw Chippenham against Bath – a game that has been the final of several Festivals for these two teams over the past years. On the day’s performance, all players were confident that Chippenham could come out on top. Unfortunately, after just five minutes Bath were awarded a try when an obstruction cleared the path to the tryline. Whilst Chippenham were still coming to terms with this upset, they conceded a second and with Bath adding a third, the mountain was too high to climb and Chippenham had to settle for second place.

For Official RFU Continuum Information - Click to go to the RFU
Minis Age Groups at Chippenham RFC
**Forthcoming Events and Event News about the Minis section will be shown here.** Towards the end of the season we have our Minis Awards day. All the news about our Mini Festival is here...
Chippenham Under 12s hosting Stockport RFC on their tour	Chippenham Under 11s taking the Wiltshire Festival

Under 12s get a visit from some special people on a wet day in January
Click the picture to view our Awards Day photos	Chippenham's Minis host their Spring Festival Click the picture for some Festival shots

Chippenham Mini Festvial Monday 14th April 08
Chippenham Rugby Football Club held their annual Mini Festival at their Allington Field headquarters on Sunday. Over one thousand players, officials, coaches, parents and siblings descended on the clubhouse on a cold, but sunny day for a long, hard day’s rugby. The Chairman of Chippenham’s Mini playing section, Nick Burroughs was very pleased with the way that the Festival had run and was quick to praise the players and everyone involved for the smooth running of the day. He said; ‘The quality of rugby played today was of the highest standard and all the players were keen to get involved in their respective matches. But at the end of the day, it is all about fun and enjoy the day. If their team did well and won, that is a bonus.’ Burroughs was also quick to acknowledge the hard work of club officials. He said; ‘The staff in the kitchen did a magnificent job in providing food, drinks etc all day and without the help of volunteers to man the barbeque, there would have been some very hungry people walking around. They did a great job.’ As with previous years, the Festival was sponsored by Sytner Mercedes-Benz. The Managing Director of Sytner Mecedes-Benz in Chippenham, Mike Fellows added his praise. He said; ‘The Chippenham Mini Festival was a huge success this year with some fantastic rugby played across all the age groups. The games were played with great passion and demonstrated both skill and commitment from all the players. This is the fifth year that Sytner Mercedes-Benz has sponsored this prestigious event and we are proud to be involved in it’s success as the Festival attracts some of the top clubs in the region’ Fellows went on; ‘Through our connection with Bristol Rugby we invivted Joe El Abd to present the trophies and medals to the winners which added to the occasion. As a business we are keen to support the local community and use our relationship to help others.’ Roll of Honour; Under 7s; Winners; Bath ‘B’ Runners-up; Chippenham A Under 8s; Winners; Rhiwbina Runenrs-up; Bath ‘A’ Under 9s; Winners; Salisbury Runners-up; Rhiwbina Under 10s; Winners; Stroud Runners-up; Cleve Continued; Under 11s; Winners; Chippenham Runners-up; Rhiwbina Under 12s; Winners; Bath ‘A’ Runners-up; Chippenham Under 9s POOL A: Chippenham A 0 -v- Marlborough 2 Wotton Bassett 0 -v- Chippenham A 2 (Dan Carter 2) Bath 5 -v- Wootton Bassett 0 Marlborough 3 -v- Bath 0 Chippenham A 2 -v- Bath 1 (Chippenham tries from Dan Carter, Alex Bowers) Wootton Bassett 0 -v- Marlborough 5 A great result for Chippenham A. They finished second in their table behind Marlborough. The Bath game in particular was a solid result for Chippenham Rugby Football Club. Good all round team-play. POOL B: Stroud 0 -v- Salisbury 4 Rhiwbina 4 -v- Chippenham B 0 Cleve 4 -v- Stroud 0 Salisbury 1 -v- Rhiwbina 1 Chippenham B 0 -v- Cleve 3 Stroud 0 -v- Rhiwbina 4 Salisbury 6 -v- Chippenham B 0 Rhiwbina 1 -v- Cleve 1 Stroud 6 -v- Chippenham B 0 Cleve 0 -v- Salisbury 4 Salisbury emerged as winners of Pool B with the team from Rhiwbina in second place. Semi-final Salisbury 6 -v- Chippenham A 0 Marlborough 1 -v- Rhiwbina 2 Final; Salisbury 1 -v- Rhiwbina 1 The first try was scored by Salisbury so they took the trophy and were crowned as winners of the U9s age group. 2nd/3rd Place; Marlborough 5 -v- Chippenham A 0 Under 11s; The Under 11s age group fielded two teams at the Chippenham Mini Festival last Sunday. Chippenham A were drawn in Pool A. Chippenham A 4 –v- Marlborough 0 The first game against Marlborough, missing a key player, was unusual for this traditionally slow starting team. Four tries in the first half from Carter (with two), Turek and Waters indicated that the team were well prepared for this tournament. The second half proved to be a different matter with the Marlborough forwards utilising good body positons in the rucks and mauls and thereby spoiling much of the possession for their opposition’s backs. An injury to Mackenzie caused some concern as he was carried from the field with a twisted ankle. There were no further scores in this game. Chippenham A 4 –v- Wootton Bassett 0 A short break was followed by Wootton Bassett and a similar final score. Carter again, Turner (with two) and Logout demonstrated that Chippenham had the measure of their opponents but again the opposition were spirited in their defence. Mackenzie’s return for the first half was a welcome sight. Gaunt took the ball goig forward from the scrums and made good grould for which he received full praise from the coach – much to his surprise. Chippenham A 1 -v- Clifton A 0 Clifton A proved likely to be the closest match in the pool stages with the opposition back line being identified as dangerous from their earlier games and so it proved. The game plan of restricting the possession available to these players proved successful thanks to the hard work of the forwards. Having secured the ball at a lienout, it then went through the hands of all the Chippenham back line until reaching Davies in space. He scored the only try of the game. The result could have been more convincing but for a couple of dropped catches. Chippenham A 3 –v- Bath 1 The forwards of Bath A were the perceived threat in the final game of the pool stages. However, yet again, the forwards worked hard to win clean ball for the backs to utilise efficitnly. Early pressure on the Bath line resulted in a poor clearance kick, collected by Davies making good ground. Bath should hae identified this threat but moments later a second poor clearance gave Davies a further chance and he ran in to score an excellent individual try. Despite several attacks down the blind-side, the Bath wings’s tackling proved strong until Whetton and Hurring combined well and from the ensuing ruck, Logout crossed the line for his first try of the day. Gaunt added the third try. Semi-final; Chippenham A 3 –v- Salisbury 1 The semi-final matched Chippenham against Salisbury. Early pressure involving Hurring forced a maul from which Carter rumbled over for the opening try. Gaunt again working the blind-side, scored after a dummy move. From the kickoff, Chippenham made the fatal mistake of allowing the ball to bounce and Salisbury reacting the quickest, collected the ball and crossed for the only try conceded by Chippenham all day. In the second half, Logout again appeared out of the ruck with the ball to feed Tuek to score and secure a place in the final. FINAL: Chippenham A 1 –v- Rhiwbina 0 The final saw a rematch of the 2007 final. The home side facing Rhiwbina. The Welsh team had been convincing in their pool matches and so it seemed inevitable that the early pressure from Rhiwbina would produce a score with almost all of the first half spent camped on the Chippenham line. The resilience of the forwards was quite astounding with many try saving tackles and a huge effort in the mauls and scrums to resist the larger opposition’s forwards. The body language from the players as they jumped up from their half-time team talk indicated that mentally they were still in this game. Despite constantly winning ball against the head in the scrums, Chippenham managed to take the game to Rhiwbina and gained field position on several occasions but a try seemed a remote possibility. Until in the final play of the game, the pressure from the back line and in particular Mackenzie. His relentless pressure on his opposite number resulted in a hurried pass. This was seized upon by Waters to run in unopposed for the only and winning try. A moment to remember for the scorer matched only by the hug from his Mum after she ran onto the field of play. The joy of the team was apparent for all to see and so very richly deserved for their spirit and effort put in throughout the season. Under 11s Chippenham’s Under 11s B team was drawn in Pool B with teams from Rhiwbina, Salisbury, Stroud and Cleve. Chippenham B –v- Rhiwbina First up for the B team was last year’s Festival winners, Rhiwbina. The match did not start well with the visitors running in three early tries. Chippenham’s poor tackling letting them down. Dutton made a good try-saving tackle but they conceded a fourth try just prior to the half-time whistle. The Chippenham forwards competed very well against the opposition at set pieces but it was poor tackling and a leaky defence that saw the visitors add another unanswered four treis. Chippenham B –v- Cleve Cleve were the opponents in the second match and Chippenham bounced back well from their opening defeat. Having conceded an early try, Chippenham came back to the Cleve line following a penalty and a good run from Taylor. Enderby picked up from the ensuing ruck and dived over on the blind-side to level the score. The second half saw Chippenham take the lead when Coker did very well to pick up a loose ball close to the halfway line. Cleve replied to level again soon afterwards, after Chippenham had given possession away following a loose kick. But the home team secured the victory after Parsons cleverly smuggled the ball from Taylor at a maul close the Cleve line and timed his run well to jink his way through the defence. Chippenham B –v- Salisbury The match against Salisbury saw Chippenham’s commitment fall away and poor tackling let them down conceding four tries before the half-time whistle. They showed greater spirit in the second half and held an imaginative Salisbury well, before conceding another two late tries. Chippenham B –v- Stroud The final match of the pool stages for Chippenham B was against Stroud. The early stages were scrappy with both sides apparently evenly matched with Chippenham showing greater strength in defence. But the deadlock was broken by a runaway try from Stroud. This was quickly followed with a second just before the break. The second half saw the home team play much better competing well for the ball but unable to get on the score sheet. Stroud finally added a third just before the whistle and so ended the B team’s Festival for this year. Under 12s Chippenham’s Under 12 squad entered their final Festival as Mini players with a determination to go out on a high. Chippenham 4 –v- Marlborough 0 Within two minutes of this first pool game, Bradley opened the scoring and Jim opened his account some thirty seconds later. Chippenham continued to play open flowing rugby and a third try from Bradley came before the half-time break. Straight from the kick-off for the second half, Cameron added Chippenham’s fourth and final try. Chippenham 4 –v- Wootton Bassett 1 The second game against local opposition Wootton Bassett looked to be more the same with contender for Most Improved Player, Cameroun Garty charging over to score with less than thirty seconds on the clock. However, the next few mintues were closely contested and Bassett were rewarded with a try. It was not long before Chippenham were back on track with Kieran putting them back in the lead before the half-time break. The second half saw tries from Cameron G and Connall to tie up the game and the victory. Chippenham 3 –v- Clifton 1 The third game in the pool stages looked to be the one to decide the group and the first half was a tough contest. The first try went to Clifton and that appeared to be the one which would decide the half. But on the stroke of the half-time, Conall levelled the score. The second half saw two more tries for Chippenham from Ed and Kieran. Chippenham 4 -v- Bath B 0 The final pool game was against Bath B and despite a spirited challenge from the visitors, Chippenham were now on a roll, with tries from Conall, Jim and two for Bradley. Having finished on top of their group, Chippenham were drawn against Cleve in the semi-final stage. Semi-final; Chippenham 2 –v- Cleve 1 In a tight game, Chippenham managed to score twice through tries from Conall and Cameron before pressure from Cleve brought them a try. FINAL: Chippenham 0 –v- Bath 3 The final saw Chippenham against Bath – a game that has been the final of several Festivals for these two teams over the past years. On the day’s performance, all players were confident that Chippenham could come out on top. Unfortunately, after just five minutes Bath were awarded a try when an obstruction cleared the path to the tryline. Whilst Chippenham were still coming to terms with this upset, they conceded a second and with Bath adding a third, the mountain was too high to climb and Chippenham had to settle for second place.
Author: Laura Hickman

Chippenham Festival Monday 7th April 08
Chippenham under 12 entered their final festival as mini players with a determination to go out on a high. Within two minutes of the first pool game Bradley opened the scoring and Jim opened his account some thirty seconds later. Chippenham continued to play open flowing rugby and a third try from Bradley came before half time. Straight from the kick off full back Cameron added Chippenhams forth and final try Chippenham 4 Marlborough 0 The second game against local opposition Wootton Bassett looked to be more of the same with contender for most improved player Cameron Garty charged over to score with less than 30 seconds on the clock however the next few minutes were closly contested and Bassett were rewarded with a try. It wasnt long before Chippenham were back on track with Kieran putting them back in the lead before half time. The second half saw tries by Cameron G and Conall to tie up the game Chippenham 4 Wootton Bassett 1 Game three looked to be the one to decide the group and the first half was a tough contest , the first try went to Clifton and it looked like that would decide the half when on the stroke of half time Conall levelled the game.The second half saw two more tries both from Chippenham by Ed and Kieran. Chippenham 3 Clifton 1 The final pool game was against Bath B and despite a spirited challenge from the visitors Chippenham were now on a roll scoring from Conall, Jim and 2 for Bradley Chippenham 4 Bath B 0 Having topped their group Chippenham were drawn against Cleve in the semi final stage and in a tight game managed to score twice through Conall and Cameron before Cleve pressured over for the final try. Chippenham 2 Cleve 1 The Final saw Chippenham against Bath, a game that has been final of several festivals for these players over the past years and on todays perfomance all were confident that Chippenham could come out on top, unfortunatley after 5 minutes Bath were awarded a try when an obstruction cleared the path to the tryline and whilst still coming to terms with this upset Chippenham conceeded a second. Now with a mountain to climb heads began to drop and Bath added a third. Chippenham 0 Bath 3. Chippenham Under 12's 2nd place.
Author: Steve Whitehead

Chippenham Under 11s - Wiltshire Cup Wednesday 5th March 08
Chippenham’s Under 11s travelled to Bradford-on-Avon, the venue for this year’s Wiltshire Cup on Sunday knowing that they would have to start well for their first game against Devizes, who have always been committed opponents in the past. Chippenham U11s 1 –v- Devizes U11s 0 Playing up the slight hill and into a strong breeze in the first half, Chippenham struggled to exert any presence and both teams seemed to be cancelling each other out quite effectively. At the start of the second half, George Logut secured the ball at a maul and raced down the blind-side to score the one and only try of the game. The wind proved difficult to judge for the backs when kicking and passing but towards the end of the game, Chippenham forwards began to show signs of dominance. Chippenham U11s 2 –v- Bradford-on-Avon 0 This next game against the home team followed a familiar story with again Logut peeling off a maul to open the scoring. Once the ball was moved away from the forwards, the backs found themselves with an opportunity to display their handling skills. The second try came from an impressive move with the ball passing through the hands of all of the back-line, including the full-back, to ultimately reach Ollie Alcorn who had looped around from the scrum-half to score in the corner. Chippenham U11s 3 –v- Corsham U11s 0 Corsham had struggled against the other teams in this pool and so Chippenham were able to quickly establish a good field position enabling Gaunt to cross for the opening try. Following good work from Toby Emery and Henry, both coming close to scoring, Jack Hurring crossed for the second score. Both Alex Whetton and Jamie Turek showed their ability to run hard with the ball in the second half making good ground. With the forwards dictating play to their opponents, it was only a matter of time before Callum Carter crossed from close range after the ever-present George Broom had secured a loose ball. Chippenham U11s 0 –v- Salisbury U11s 0 In the final game of the pook, Chippenham faced Salisbury who despite being under constant pressure throughout the game, held out for a 0-0 draw. Credit must go to the Salisbury team who showed tremendous resilience to hold out. These pool games resulted in a tie between Chippenham and Salisbury at the top of Pool A. But on a count-back of tries, Salisbury progressed as winners to the play-offs, leaving Chippenham to play Marlborough, the winners of Pool B. Chippenham U11s 5 –v- Marlborough U11s 1 The sight of the biggest player ever seen at this age group on a rugby pitch on the wing, did not cause any concern to the Chippenham players who all took turns in tackling him with Carter being ever present and Hurring being the bravest. This open game suited Chippenham and Logut opened the scoring with typical blindside run. Mackenzie then scored from a quick penalty. Alcorn’s try was the best individual effort of the day with a break from the base of the scrum in his own half followed by a neat chip into space and a fortuous bounce enabling him to collect and score. The backs then showed their handling skills to put Tom Davies and Turek into space for two more tries. Chippenham and Salisbury progress to the Dorset and Wiltshire Cup final to be held on April 20th.
Author: Laura Hickman