CHIPPENHAM fell to a 38-27 defeat in their first home match of the season.

The Allington Field side welcomed back a number of players including captain Andy Rossiter, Lewis Surry, Sam Saunders and Bobby Lyons after they missed the opening defeat at Newton Abbot.

Cleve opened the scoring when Ireland U19s Sevens international Alex Kilbane received an offload from Mitch Burton for an unconverted try.

The visitors turned defence into attack as wing Josh Davies went over to make it 10-0.

Cleve were reduced to 14 men when centre Sean Lilley was sent to the bin and Sam Saunders added the penalty for Chippenham.

The hosts were made to pay for not making the extra-man advantage count as Burton scored a neat try, which was converted, under the posts to make it 17-3 to Cleve.

Chippenham then started to keep possession thanks to some great work from the impressive Jack Hurring, Andy Rossiter, Lyons and Bye who all had strong games.

From one attack, new signing Matt Dickens took the ball at pace, beat a number of tacklers and offloaded perfectly to Ollie Alcorn who scored on the stroke of half-time. Saunders added the extras to make it 17-10 at half-time.

The second period did not start well as a fairly simple move from a penalty resulted in a Cleve try that was converted by Burton 24-10.

Chippenham then started to try and put some pace on the ball and a neat chip ahead from Cameron Brown, put pressure on the Cleve full-back and he fumbled but Dom McKenzie could capitalise as he knocked on trying to gather the ball at pace.

However, Cleve were pinged for being offside again and Saunders successfully added the three points to reduce the arrears to 24-13, only for Burton to cross for his second converted try of the game for the visitors.

The introduction of Aaron Clark saw Chippenham raise their game intensity.

From a good attack involving Clark, man-of-the-match Rossiter and Lyons, Surry took the ball at pace to breakthrough tackle and score.

Saunders converted to bring Chippenham back within 11 points again.

However, Cleve pounced again when they incepted a move from the young Chippenham back-line to make it 38-20 with only minutes left on the clock.

But there was still time for Alcorn to grab his second try with the final play of the match which was converted by Saunders.