CHIPPENHAM'S remarkable revival continued as they put further daylight between themselves and the South West One East relegation zone with a 43-12 victory over Grove at Allington Field on Saturday.

With young second rower Henry Corp enjoying the privilege of leading the side out in his final game before departing to Australia, it didn't take long for the home side to find their feet on their way to a fifth win in seven matches.

Chippenham's first try of the afternoon came after quick thinking from Sam Graham saw him catch Grove unaware, take a quick tap penalty in their 22 and spin a long pass out wide where John Turner was waiting to touch down.

The second try followed soon after.

Chippenham didn't panic in the Grove 22, kept the ball well and went through the phases, eventually putting Graham over unopposed. Dom Riccio added the extras.

The final try of the first half came from a backs move off a line out as Bradley Doggett made a typical strong break through the middle. Two passes later and wing Matt Dickens touched down in the corner.

The bonus point try came early into the second half, scrum-half Tom Fogerty sniping round the fringes and scoring close to the posts, with Riccio adding the extras.

Chippenham were in complete control and interplay between forwards and backs saw young wing Dan Carter get the ball in space, cut in field and beat three defenders on his way to the line, Riccio converting.

From the restart Chippenham gathered the ball and ran it back from deep.

Full-back Sam Saunders made the initial yards and quick recycling then saw Doggett with the ball on his own 10m line.

After forcing his way through the defence a tap tackle wasn't enough to stop him powering his way to score under the posts. Riccio adding the extras.

Chippenham saved their best for last and, after a flowing move down the right-hand side, slick hands from forwards and backs combined to eventually send veteran number eight Fraser Clilverd over.

With the game won, Chippenham took their foot off the gas and allowed Grove in for two late tries.

Royal Wootton Bassett head coach Alan Low says the manner in which his side lost to Old Patesians was gut wrenching.

Having kept the league leaders, who sat second heading into Saturday’s game, within one point, a converted try in the 78th minute saw Bassett leave Ballards Ash empty handed.

Low’s side are the only team in South West One East to date to have inflicted defeat on Old Pats, who were demoted from National League Three South last term.

As a result, Bassett were ready for the Cheltenham-based side to head to Wiltshire with revenge on their minds.

However, Bassett were able to remain within striking distance for most of the encounter, until a breakaway try late on secured the 18-11 success for the visitors and saw Bassett unable to even record a losing bonus point.

“It was gutting to lose out that way,” said Low, whose side are now six without a win.

“We definitely deserved to come away with something from the game.

“The performance was much improved. There are still areas for us to work on but on the whole, we were a lot happier with the performance on Saturday.

“To concede that score right at the end, against the flow of play, was very difficult because it was an error that was pounced upon by their winger.

“He flew out with the ball at least 60 metres and they played a few phases after that and managed to score.

“We had them out wide and if they had scored out wide, it would have been a much harder conversion but we let the guy step inside about 15 or 20 metres and score just to the outside of the post.

“Little things like that, it was a bitter pill to swallow but on the pride front, we played a lot better.”

New recruit Dominic Carroll was thrown in for his first start for the club at outside centre and Low was impressed with the early impact made as Bassett continue to cope with a large injury list.

“Dom got himself in and he worked his way in slowly,” added Low.

“There were some good bits from Dom, some good touches, and it is just for him getting up to speed as soon as possible with the patterns and the calls.

“To come straight into the game, he was dropped in almost straight away because of the injury situation, he did a good job for us and we were happy with him.”