DIRECTOR of rugby John Brown believes Chippenham will cause plenty of problems in National Three South West this season, despite an opening day of the season defeat at Newton Abbot.

The Allington Field men went in at the break 20-17 up in Devon before their hosts came on strong in the second period to record a 49-25 success.

However, Chippenham returned home with a try bonus point and, according to Brown, who rejoined the club this summer from Swindon, plenty of optimism.

“It was a fantastic performance,” Brown said. “In the first half, up against a very strong set of forwards, we were excellent.

“We moved them around and given the fact we were missing a lot of players for this match, I thought we were outstanding – especially our three-quarter line.

“The players we have got coming back are only going to strengthen the team and we will cause a lot of teams problems this season.”

Chippenham scored three tries in the first-half through Dominic McKenzie, Will Waddington and Oli Alcorn, while Cyprus international Cameron Brown, a new signing from Swindon, added a penalty and a conversion.

After the interval, the hosts used their forwards to good effect and started to wear down the Chippenham players, who unfortunately gave away the initiative by conceding a number of penalties.

This allowed Newton’s fly-half Rob Avery-Wright to kick to the corners, followed up by a very effective catch and drive strategy. a Although under constant pressure in the scrums, Chippenham did, however, manage to score a try through number eight Kris Beacham, crashing in from the base of the scrum at the start of the second half to secure a bonus point.

“I think the thing we can learn from this match is that we don’t have to contest every ball – be a little more patient,” Brown said. “As we got tired, we gave away too many penalties. Our first phase play started to suffer.

“But as the team that went out there on Saturday hadn’t really played together, it was a very pleasing performance.”

Chippenham entertain Cleve in their first home game of the campaign on Saturday and Brown is relishing being back at Allington Field.

“It a home game against a team who also lost their opening match,” Brown added.