Sat 20 Apr 2024
Superb Bassett Second Half Brings Victory in Front of Huge Crowd
Royal Wootton Bassett hosted Chippenham in a Papa John’s Community Cup group game.
The game was to be a close encounter yet again for the third time this season. A superb crowd had gathered in the beautiful spring sunshine with Bassett holding their annual Sausage and Cider festival with the game being the highlight.
Bassett got off to a near perfect start when outside centre Scott Douglas went over. Douglas has only just returned after a long injury break but looks to be back to his best. Scrum half Rhys Floyd added the conversion and Bassett led 7-0.
Almost immediately Chippenham hit back with a converted try to level the scores. Bassett’s young winger was yellow carded for a high tackle in this move. Chippenham began to fire on all cylinders and were rewarded with two further tries.
Bassett then took the game back to Chippenham playing some thrilling open rugby. Before the interval tries came from centre Thomas “Tucker” Blinkhorn and second row Sam Collier with a further Floyd conversion. Bassett went in at the interval with a narrow 21-19 deficit.
A tremendous first half had saw both teams score three tries in a hugely competitive game and more of the same looked to be ahead. However, Bassett then played 25 minutes of fantastic rugby with the ball being spread all over the Ballards Ash ground. Second tries came from both Collier and Blinkhorn.
Flanker Oli Baycroft was able to force his way over for a try after Chippenham had pulled one back. Floyd added two of the conversions and Bassett led 38-16. Shortly after Bassett opted for a penalty from Floyd to extend the leading margin to three scores and leave Chippenham with plenty to do.
Chippenham then upped their game forcing Bassett on the defence. Eventually a converted try was their reward but despite late efforts the Bassett defence held firm for a close but ultimately deserved victory.
Bassett will be well pleased to have regained momentum after a poor display the previous week at Winchester. All credit must go to this young outfit with Bassett’s squad featuring ten players under 22.
Bassett now travel to group table toppers Newent in Gloucestershire. Bassett will almost certainly need a bonus point victory against a side they have never met if they are to progress.
Scorers:
- Scott Douglas 1T
- Thomas “Tucker” Blinkhorn 2T
- Sam Collier 2T
- Oli Baycroft 1T
- Rhys Floyd 4C, 1P
