CHIPPENHAM conquered potential banana skin Maidenhead – and their artificial 3G playing surface – to emphatically end their five-match losing streak in National Three South West.

The visitors had performed heroically in their narrow three-point defeat against leaders London Irish Wild Geese the previous week and got off to a flyer in Berkshire as scrum-half Lewis Surry crossed for the first of his hat-trick of tries just two minutes in.

Sam Saunders converted and Chippenham went further in front when second row Aaron Ascott drove over the line, quickly followed by a third try from veteran centre Rupert Crockett, Harry Taylor adding the extras.

As half-time approached, Surry jinked through the defence to score his second try of the afternoon and wrap up the bonus point before Maidenhead replied just before the interval.

Chippenham hit back straight away when, from the kick-off, Bobby Lyons chased the restart to run in to score the fifth try of the afternoon, Taylor converting.

The second half saw the weather take a turn for the worst, with heavy rain making an already-difficult pitch even trickier.

With only two minutes on the clock, a piece of individual brilliance by wing Mike Baptiste saw Chippenham go further in front.

The visitors then rang the changes, giving the whole squad the experience of playing on the artificial pitch but Maidenhead added to their tally with a penalty try.

However, Saunders was next on the scoresheet for the away side following a fine break from deep and Surry rounded off an excellent afternoon with his third as his side broke through the half-century barrier for the first time this season.

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