September 18, 2021
As a birthday treat during a weekend away, I was
permitted to watch a game of rugby in the sixth tier of English rugby’s
national structure ! With just 15 miles separating the two clubs, this was very
much a Wiltshire local derby.
Chippenham were relegated from the fifth tier in
2015/16 and have had mixed fortunes since in their endeavors to return to that
level, their best finish being third in 2017/18. Before the 2019/20 season was
terminated due to the Covid Pandemic, Chippenham were in 8th place,
which disguised a strong home record of 9-0-2 but an appalling 1-0-10 away
record.
Their start to the new season has been disappointing
though, losing at home to Oxford Harlequins 9-38 on the opening day of the
season, followed by a 13-24 defeat at Sherborne.
Trowbridge were promoted to this division in 2018/19
where they finished one place above relegation places, which is where they also
were when 2019/20 was terminated. Although they lost heavily 17-63 at Bracknell
in their first match, they recorded a victory in their second match, narrowly
edging out Buckingham 19-17 at home thanks to a late penalty.
Chippenham play at Allington Fields, a smart venue
just off the town’s ring-road, with the entrance down some side roads behind
the Allington Farm shop. There is a large expanse of land, plenty of parking, four
full size pitches, one of which doubles as a cricket field in the summer, and
the 1st XV pitch, which has an artificial grass surface, is bordered
by white fencing. There are no covered areas for spectators, with the vantage
points being to either lean against the white fence or against one of the crash
barriers on the paved surface a few yards back.
Entrance to the game for non-members was £5 per car. I
did check if this was correct as there were two of us, but the lady replied “we
can’t charge any more to watch this lot !”. The last programme had just gone to
the car in front of us, but she said if she found any more in the Clubhouse she
would bring one to me. Shortly after kick-off she and another girl were
wandering around handing out the additional programmes that they had located !
The Clubhouse looks modern and it is possible to watch
the rugby from inside, with a row of tables and chairs looking out over the main
pitch. Just about all of the places were taken though.
The main ale available was Gem, brewed in nearby Bath,
although there was also Atlantic Pale Ale and Pravda. They had run out of
Guinness and another larger whose name I forget, but many of the locals were
ordering the cider. The service behind the bar was dreadfully slowly, and
oblivious to the need that some people might want to be served quickly so they
could get back outside and watch the game ! Mrs Fatbear ordered a white wine,
which together with my beer came to £8.60. However, she thought the wine tasted
awful so went for the Prosecco next time ( £5.50 ).
I may have missed it but I didn’t see anywhere to get
some food, not that we were hungry, and I don’t recall anyone walking around
during the match with a burger or hot-dog in their hands. There were no
announcements over a tannoy, and the score was displayed by a manual scoreboard
behind one end of the pitch.
Temperature at the 3pm kick-off was 21 degrees and the weather was dry although a very light shower did fall briefly shortly before the kick-off. Chippenham were in white and black hoops, with Trowbridge in yellow shirts.
Trowbridge opened the scoring in the 10th
minute, scoring in the far corner, but the conversion failed.
Chippenham responded by kicking two penalties by
fly-half Thomas to take a 6-5 lead after 20 minutes. Trowbridge were looking
the more dangerous side though, looking to keep the ball in-hand, with some
good off-loads and bringing their backs into the game. Twice promising moves
were cut short for crossing and when they were awarded a penalty in kickable
range they opted to kick for the corner. When the rolling maul was halted, the
ball was spread wide but a poor pass to the centre’s feet resulted in the ball
being knocked on when a try was there for the taking.
Against the run of play, Chippenham extended their
lead, when flanker Illife-Moon picked up a loose ball from a line-out fumble
and ran unopposed under the posts, and the simple conversion from Thomas made it
13-5 to the home side after 30 minutes.
Four minutes before the interval, Faosiliva, Trowbridge’s
No 8, burst through a tackle on the 22 metre line and was only brought down a
few yards from the try line. His offload was dropped by his supporting
team-mate just before he could cross the line, but a penalty was awarded and centre
Oli Weaver slotted over. 13-8
Chippenham had a spell of pressure just before the
half-time. After a penalty was awarded to Trowbridge, the decision was
reversed, presumably for some-back chat, and Chippenham kicked into the
visitors 22. However, two drives were thwarted, and it remained 13-8 at the
break.
Trowbridge started the second half strongly and after
a spell close to the try, the fly-half Tom Weaver looked up, saw his winger
completely free by the touch-line and kicked across field. Thanks to a
favourable bounce, it was an easy try, and with an excellent conversion from
out wide, Trowbridge went 15-13 ahead.
The good work was nearly immediately undone when the
clearing kick shortly after the restart was charged down, but Trowbridge were
able to gather and eventually clear the danger. Chippenham’s main tactic
appeared to give the ball to Boginisoko Yawayawa, a gigantic centre in the hope
he could crash through the middle of the opposition defence. I am not sure if
he is any relation to Sam Yawayawa, a much smaller Fijian centre currently
playing for Chinnor.
Trowbridge took a further grip on the match in the 56th
minutes, when they scored in the corner after good hands along the back-line. It
looked to me as if the conversion had missed, but the referee awarded the extra
points to make it 13-22.
Chippenham forced another transgression by the Trowbridge
pack, and a simple penalty in front of the posts from Thomas brought back in touch
at 16-22. However, within a minute the 9 point lead was re-established after a
penalty was awarded to Trowbridge, and after some dissent, moved 10 yards
closer to the posts for a straight-forward kick for Oli Weaver. 16-25.
Chippenham rallied and after Thyer, their No 8 had
burst through, the ball was passed to the right winger Cater who was denied by
a try saving tackle into touch. Chippenham won their line out and crashed over,
and with the conversion it was anyone’s game at 23-25 with around 12 minutes to
play.
It took two more minutes for Trowbridge to secure
their 4 try bonus point. Oli Weaver made a great break from the edge of his 22
and made progress deep into the Chippenham half. The ball was reworked and with
a two man overlap, the Trowbridge player went for glory himself, and fortunately
for him he was just able to get over the line. With the conversion missed,
Chippenham could still draw the game with a converted try, but two minutes from
the end they conceded a scrum penalty in front of their own posts. Trowbridge
elected to take the points to move Chippenham out of losing bonus point range as
the score moved to 23-33.
Chippenham made a strong effort to get back to less
than 7 points behind but with the last play of the match right winger Cater was
again denied by a great tackle and forced into touch. There was no time for the
line-out and Trowbridge players and their travelling support celebrated wildly
at the final whistle.
Overall, it was a very entertaining game, and Trowbridge were worthy winners. It didn’t look as if the home supporters were too concerned by losing, they seemed more interested in simply being able to be at a match, meet with their friends and have a few drinks, with a game of rugby going on in the background !
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