CHIPPENHAM head coach John Brown is hoping that Saturday’s first win of the South West One West season is the turning point of their campaign.

Having had a change of coach over the summer, Dale Burn returned to the club following the departure of Andy Kyriacou, who left to join Premiership outfit Sale Sharks as their forwards coach, the Allington Fields outfit have struggled to adapt to life back in South West One East following their relegation from National Three South West last term.

However, after seven attempts, Chippenham recorded their first victory as they defeated Old Centralians, who were also relegated last term, 32-17.

A brace from returning scrum-half Lewis Surry as well as a pushover try from number eight Jon Turner and a pick-and-go score from loose-head Ben Riley gave the hosts the four-try bonus point, while Harry Turner added 12 points with the boot.

“It has been a long time coming,” Brown said. “Over the last few weeks, the Newbury match aside, we have been progressively getting better.

“The boys are starting to get their confidence back after it being rock bottom from last season.

“We have also got two 17-year-olds in the team in Ed Hendy, who is a back-row forward, and a second row in Henry Corp and their confidence is sky high.”

Meanwhile, Royal Wootton Bassett were celebrating the joy of six at the weekend as they extended their winning sequence with a 32-3 success at home to Reading Abbey.

The result sees Bassett continue their flying start to life in South West One East and they are now up to second in the table behind leaders Maidenhead, who are the only team to beat Alan Low’s side this term.

Despite having a week off last week, Bassett were quickly out of the traps as Phil Bardwell barged over the whitewash in the opening skirmishes at Ballards Ash, converted by skipper Dave Hogg.

Ieuan Clements and Gavin Ougan also dotted down in a dominant first half, with further points from the boot of Hogg putting the hosts 22-3 to the good at the break.

Abbey made life much tougher for Low’s men after in the second half and the home side had to settle for just a second try from Bardwell, as well as a conversion and penalty from Hogg, to increase their haul.

Chippenham make the trip to face another of the teams relegated with them last term - Old Patesians - on Saturday, while Bassett are home Witney.