TROWBRIDGE remain on just one win in South West One East this season following a 42-18 defeat at Old Patesians last weekend.

The Doric Park side downed county rivals Chippenham on the second weekend of the campaign but have since lost three games in a row.

The defeat at Old Pats leaves Trowbridge on six points from five games, with only two teams below them in the standings.

Elsewhere, Alex Christopher’s try treble helped Chippenham make it three home wins out of three with a battling 27-20 success.

Straight from the kick-off, the hosts showed their intent, and it was not long before the pressure turned into points as Christopher ran in the opening try, although Tom Douglas could not convert.

Chippenham found themselves back in the Buckingham 22 shortly afterwards and, off the back of a well-worked lineout drive, Kieran Atkin got over the whitewash. Douglas’ kick again went wide.

A worrying period for Chippenham then unfolded before half-time as they gave away countless penalties.

A dominant Buckingham scrum was able to shove its way over for their first try of the day, before the visitors swiftly followed up with a second touchdown, although both were unconverted to leave the score tied at 10-10.

Another penalty early in the second half allowed Buckingham to split the posts and take the lead.

This sparked Chippenham back into life and Christopher was soon over for his second try of the game. Oli Alcorn took over kicking duties and added the extras from the touchline.

The hosts then broke out from their own 22 as Alcorn released Christopher to run over the whitewash and complete his first senior hat-trick. Alcorn’s conversion attempt came up short.

Chippenham’s forwards were rampaging now and they continues to tire the Buckingham defence.

Before long, Charlie Palmer latched onto an overthrow at the lineout and ran in from 30m. Although Alcorn missed from the tee, Chippenham’s lead was up to 27-13.

Buckingham saw some more reward for their efforts before the final whistle as they went over for a converted try to get themselves back within seven points.

However, Chippenham kept the visitors in their own 22 for the final 10 minutes to comfortably see out the win.

Elsewhere, Royal Wootton Bassett maintained their perfect record this season with a 58-5 thrashing of county rivals Salisbury to move top of the table outright.

The victory was Bassett’s fifth five-point success from five games this term.

Banbury also retain an unbeaten record, although Marlborough went close to ending that before falling to a narrow 17-13 defeat at home.

The visitors quickly showed why they have started the season so strongly, having much of the possession in the first half and scoring a converted try in the opening 15 minutes.

Marlborough had a chance to cut the deficit before the break but Will Grant saw a penalty held up in the wind and Banbury’s lead remained at 7-0 at half-time.

Grant was able to find his range early in the second half, though, and two successful kicks brought Marlborough within one point of their visitors.

The contest was now much more even, however, poor defending allowed Banbury to score two unconverted tries to move 17-6 ahead.

Marlborough did not buckle and kept forcing penalties. With five minutes to go, they won a lineout in Banbury’s 22 and, off the back of the ensuing lineout maul, Lemeki Moala got over the whitewash, converted by Grant.

The home side then pushed for a winning try but Banbury dug deep to hold them at bay as Marlborough’s hopes came up just short.