Sat 25 Nov 2017
Royal Wootton Bassett slipped to their first defeat in six matches at home to North Wiltshire rivals Chippenham.
The second placed outfit went at Bassett right from the start and a number of powerful forward runs were halted by excellent home defence. Bassett had a little spell of their own and from a close range lineout, Bassett's influential prop Chris Rowland was able to force his way over in the corner. The conversion was missed but Bassett led 5-0.
This stung Chippenham into action and a sustained sequence of scrums and attacks on the Bassett line saw the inevitable try to even up the scores. Bassett knew they were up against it but continued to fightback showing tremendous determination.
Shortly before the interval a Bassett break saw a scrum near the line. No 8 Kyle Lovell picked up and dummied the ball, creating enough space to be able to force his way over under pressure. Second row and skipper Dave Hogg converted for Basset to lead 12-5 at the interval.
Bassett had shown an excellent team spirit to claim the interval lead but it was now going to be a question of trying to hold on to that lead. It was not to be as Chippenham turned on a great display of powerful and incisive running rugby. Two early tries saw Chippenham turn things around to lead 19-12.
Bassett continued to look dangerous on the break and had a couple of decent efforts. The continuity of the Chippenham effort eventually told as Bassett tired late on and Chippenham were able to add three more tries to claim the try bonus and deserved 36-12 victory.
