CHIPPENHAM maintained their 100 per cent record in 2017 with a superb 2-1 home victory over GoCrea8 League Conference North leaders Robinsons A.

Having lost 5-1 at the beginning of the season to the same opponents, who had dropped only seven points prior to the weekend, Chippenham pushed hard for the first five minutes with a high-intensity game, having an early goal chalked off for a prior infringement.

The home side reorganised and played some of their best hockey of the season but their efforts went unrewarded and, towards the end of the half, Robinsons won a short corner and a rising shot from the top of the D was deflected past Leo Barker.

As the second half progressed, the hosts’ Mark Knight received the ball on the baseline, turning the ball onto an opposition foot and winning a short corner.

Luke Morris deflected in a low flick to level but the game then became scrappy as a number of cards were issued.

Down to nine men, Chippenham capitalised on a loose ball before playing it to Tom Bowery, who was fouled in the D.

Man of the match James Glover stepped up and rifled the ball home for the winner, with Barker making some crucial saves to preserve the win late on.

Chippenham C moved up to third in East Central Two with a goalless draw at home to Yate B, Will Thompsett having an effort cleared off the line and Tim McKendrick firing just wide for the home side.

n With the weather taking its toll on many matches, Devizes Ladies picked up their second point of the campaign with a 2-2 draw against Team Bath Buccaneers 3 in the West Clubs League East Division.