YOUTH RUGBY: CHIPPENHAM were left disappointed as they were edged out by Salisbury in this Wiltshire Cup final at Allington Field.

Chippenham had already lost in the final of the Bristol Combination Cup earlier in the season and the team were looking to redress the balance and lift a trophy.

Playing in bright sunshine but with a very blustery wind and driving rain both teams had to come to terms with the weather conditions.

To their credit both teams did and the first half saw the ball go from end to end with neither team willing to give anything away.

Both Chippenham and Salisbury enjoyed plenty of possession and both teams found their way to the respective try lines but just could not find that final touch for the score.

Going into the half-time it was honours even which was a fair reflection on the half.

The second half saw more of the same and as the half went on, it was obvious to the watching spectators that the game was going to be won on a single score to the team that managed to break away.

This was exactly what happened. Chippenham had the advantage and then Salisbury but it was Salisbury that broke away to put the ball over the try line minutes before the full-time whistle was blown.

Chippenham U14s 31

Salisbury 10

Chippenham recovered from their mid-week exertions at Worcester to conquer determined opponents and retain the Wiltshire U14 Cup.

They had to overcome blustery conditions but did so well to win their second trophy of the season.

Salisbury were extremely motivated and seeking revenge for their defeat in last season's under 13 final and an under 14 cup pool match which was played earlier this season.

They applied heavy pressure from the start using their large forwards and managed to power over the line for a try despite stout defending from the Chippenham boys.

This served as a wake-up call and Chippenham managed to shake off their early lethargy to play some excellent continuity rugby leading to two tries for winger Ollie Morris and one for fly-half Cameron Brown which skipper Tom Boreham converted to give Chippenham a 17-5 lead at half-time.

The Chippenham team carried on where they left off after the break and scored two more tries through second row Joe Wilmott and winger Matt Tatara, both again converted by Tom Boreham.

With the game effectively won, Chippenham relaxed a little and to their credit, Salisbury raised their game and were rewarded ultimately with a late try through their forwards.

This proved to be a consolation score only and the Chippenham team ran out victors by 31-10 to lift The Wiltshire Cup.

Chippenham will now represent Wiltshire in the play-offs for the Dorset & Wilts Cup against the Dorset champions.

This will be played at Bournemouth on the April 25 which gives the squad an opportunity to secure a third trophy of this current season.

Worcester U14s 24

Chippenham U14s 22

Chippenham travelled to Worcester last Wednesday evening to play a friendly game under floodlights which was a first for most of the Chippenham squad.

Playing one of the top teams in England last season, the Chippenham team raised their game to match the hosts in every respect and could have run out with the win with a bit more luck on their side.

Chippenham opened the scoring after weathering early pressure when a sustained counter-attack led to a try from flanker Andrew Bailey, which was converted by skipper Tom Boreham.

Worcester responded with a converted try of their own, then scored a second unconverted try to lead 12-7 going into the half-time break.

Chippenham hit back with a penalty kicked by Boreham and then a try directly from the resulting restart. Bailey received the ball and ran through the entire Worcester team to score under the posts to give Boreham another simple conversion.

It was now Worcester's turn now to reply and they did so in style scoring twice with one conversion to leave Chippenham facing a 24-17 deficit going into the last five minutes of the game.

The Chippenham players responded magnificently to the task and after a sustained period of forward pressure, second row Joe Wilmot crashed over wide out for his first try for the club.

Unfortunately, the conversion attempt drifted just wide denying the Chippenham team the draw they deserved.

Afterwards, both coaches were full of praise for the two teams, agreeing that the match was the best any of them had seen at this level.