CHIPPENHAM almost served up Regional Two Severn leaders Matson's first defeat of the season on Saturday but fell to a narrow 20-17 scoreline at Allington Fields.

Despite taking an early lead through a Ben Thyer try, the second-place side soon found themselves 14-5 down.

Another home score, this time from Save Tuimatanisaqa, pulled the score closer, but a Matson penalty left the table toppers 17-12 up at half-time.

An early second-half penalty pushed Matson's advantage to eight points, but that would be the final time the visitors would score.

Chippenham threw everything at Matson for the final half an hour, but only Ryan Brown's converted try troubled the scorers as the league leaders held on for their 15th win.

Elsewhere in the division, Trowbridge beat bottom side Frome 22-13.

In Regional Two South Central, Marlborough continued their title charge with another dominant 47-14 victory away at Witney.

Devizes squeezed past Wiltshire rivals Salisbury 17-16 in a mid-table battle.

Royal Wootton Bassett boosted their hopes of survival with a superb 47-29 victory at home to Bracknell.

Bassett are now 10th in the 12-team league after their fourth win of the season.