Marlborough 36 - 21 Chippenham
Marlborough continued their excellent start to the season with a sixth win in a row and against another local rival, this time Chippenham. The whole Club is enjoying their first ever time in Level Six and every week brings a new challenge and a Club that they’ve either never faced or not faced in a very long time. As they go into each game, the squad know how much respect every team deserves and the physicality they bring, but are confident in the style of rugby they are trying to play.
Chippenham started well and got the first try of the game after 9 minutes, which was converted. Marlborough’s reply came five minutes later when good ruck ball was won, the ball was moved out by Jake Williams to outside half Amori Nailago, who dummied, before passing it to Pio Tuwai. He beat the defenders and went over the try line but the conversion was missed.
The second Marlborough try came near the half hour mark and a good break by Joeli Radovu saw him off load to Tuwai, who again beat the covering defenders to score. Williams added the extras to make the score 12-7. Just before half time, a blind side break by Chippenham’s Captain Aaron Clarke, saw him tackled late by Ben Fulton. Punches were thrown by Clarke, but the referee decided to send off both players, harsh on Fulton who hadn’t thrown a punch.
The second half was just 5 minutes old when a midfield break by Joe Visei saw him hand off a defender and run through, he drew the full back before passing to the supporting Nailago and he ran in from 20 metres out to score under the posts – Williams converted.
Chippenham replied with a converted try of their own to move the score onto 19-14. The visitors did have periods of good pressure and the defense of the home team was outstanding. Marlborough were also still moving the ball well and when the play was moved to within five metres of the Chippenham line, a loose ball was flicked out by Nailago to Mitieli Vulikijapani, he stepped inside and drove for the line. He got over despite the tackles of four Chippenham players – Williams converted.
Chippenham again replied with a converted try. Then Vulikijapani showed his finishing ability when picking up a pass on the half way line and out pacing the defense to dive over in the corner. The conversion was missed. The last try of the game came when Semisi Rasivo gathered a loose tap down from the line out, turned and ran back through the line out and through the defense to score from 15 meters out. The conversion was missed and that left the full time score at 36-21.
This Saturday the boys have got a well deserved day off, they next play on Saturday 20th October, away to Witney, in their first ever meeting.