Chippenham suffer embarrassing loss to Walcot (From The Wiltshire Gazette and Herald)

Chippenham suffer embarrassing loss to Walcot

Chippenham suffered an embarrassing defeat at neighbouring Walcot in the Intermediate Cup. Walcot finished the game with just 13 players on the park and still came away with the win.

The game started badly for the visitors, with Scott Sherratt being sin-binned after just two minutes for what the referee deemed a professional foul.

It was fairly soon after that Walcot caught Chippenham asleep at the lineout. Outflanking the defence, winger Dave Ayres went over for the try.

Walcot's second try followed minutes later as Chippenham old boy, Tom Crockett went over to score. But Chippenham hit back with fly-half David Spiers cutting through several tackles, a neat side-step inside and through a gap to score. Andy Williamson added the conversion to bring the score down to 10-7.

Walcot were then reduced to 14 men as their flanker was sent to the sin-bin for persistent hands in the ruck. Williamson then added a penalty to bring the scores level.

Just after the half hour, a suicidal backs move by Chippenham saw Walcot gain possession and Joel Dixon gratefully ran in to score. Another penalty for Chippenham brought the score back to 15-13 and Walcot's first red card came just before the break with a second row player being sent off for a second offence. Walcot regrouped and were awarded a penalty which was converted by their replacement scrum-half, James Gay.

They were further reduced as their number six was sent also shown a red card and they played the remainder of the match with six men in the pack. Despite having a two player advantage, Chippenham conceded another try and a penalty as Walcot increased their lead.

As the game drew to a close, and just to add to Chippenham's misery, Crockett added his second try of the match to secure a 31-13 win.

Chippenham's head coach Rob Alford said; "This has been on the cards since the beginning of August. Half the players on the field have shown a lack of commitment to training and we got what our pre-season preparation deserved."

n Cricklade welcomed the return of Danny Lloyd from injury for the visit of Minchinhampton and duly won 23-15.

After only eight minutes Ralph Romeo was able to run in his first try for the club under the posts and unopposed.

Lloyd stepped up to take his first competitive kick for over a season and slotted it cleanly between the posts.

Minchinhampton hit back with a penalty but as half time approached Lee James ran in another try under the posts and Lloyd made it two from two.

He increased his tally with a penalty early in the second half. Cricklade took their foot off the gas and Minchinhampton stormed back with two tries. Lloyd then notched another penalty before making sure of the win with a drop goal.