CHIPPENHAM will be hoping to wrap up the title this weekend after nerves got the better of them against Towcestrians.

Danny Thomas’ side had the chance to clinch the South West One East crown on Saturday but slipped to a narrow 10-8 defeat to second placed Towcestrians.

However the bonus losing point, and their rivals not being able to claim a bonus point, means that only a mammoth swing of 100 points would deny the Allington field side.

“I think it was a very nervy game and in terms of quality it was a bit short of where we wanted to be,” said Thomas.

“We were a bit disappointed with that but we went up there pretty much needing a point and that is what we came away with.

“On a plus side hopefully we have done enough, although not mathematically there yet, but hopefully we will finish the job off this Saturday.

“”We are five points ahead with a superior points difference, so they are going to have to score some points to get that back.”

The match got off to a good start for the visitors when Towcestrians tried to run the ball out of defence Dom Riccio was on hand to intercept and gallop through for a try out on the right.

Riccio extended the lead in the second half with a penalty but the hosts came back strong to score two tries to take the title race into the final weekend.

Chippenham now host Trowbridge on Saturday knowing a point will guarantee them the league title.

“It’s the last game of the season and still a lot riding on it, we’ll just plan accordingly,” added Thomas.

“Obviously there were one or two things that we weren’t happy with performance wise from Saturday and we’ll try and get those things right this week in training.

“Trowbridge will bring a similar type of game to how Towcestrians they played the second half I would have thought and we need to be aware of that and better at dealing with those issues.

“We’ll concentrate on that and hopefully get the boys excited about playing the final league game of the season at home.

“It would be just rewards in them achieving the league this weekend, because they have been the best team in the league and it would be nice to finish it off on Saturday.”