Sat 12th Feb. Dorset & Wilts Division 1 North Chippenham 2nd 25 – 15 Westbury
THIS was a day of disappointment for Westbury, certainly a day where injuries had a defining effect on the game.
The match was preceded with a minute’s silence for the late Kenny Stevens, ex- Westbury player and 1st XV captain.
From the kick-off Westbury looked in fine form and within five minutes took the lead after a kick was charged down by new prop, George Brown, who followed up to score his first try for the club. The conversion was missed.
Chippenham fought back and were testing Westbury’s defence. Unfortunately, within ten minutes Westbury had lost their prop, Brown, and centre, Joeli Navuku, to leg injuries. Now, with Westbury having to change the forwards around and re-jig the backs, Chippenham took advantage and scored an unconverted try.
With the number of injuries mounting for Westbury, at one stage there were five of the starting 15 back in the dugout, it became a problem to get any cohesion in the play and the home side were able to run in two more tries. Both unconverted. 15 – 5 to Chippenham at half time.
After the restart the visitors dug in and worked hard to score. They were rewarded after a scrum when the ball was passed out to wing, Chandler Harris, who danced his way to the try line but was brought down just short. Josh Page, normally a full back but playing at number eight, followed up in support and was able to claim the ball to score in the corner. The conversion attempt missed the posts.
On the 70th minute, Jamie Dixon, again having to play out of his regular position, broke out from his own half, outpaced the Chippenham defence, to score an unconverted try.
Westbury were now within five points of their opponents and at worst, a losing bonus point was on offer, although it looked like more could be achieved and confidence was high. That was until they tried to kick the ball out of their own 22. Unfortunately, the ball went straight to a Chippenham player who swiftly moved the ball wide to his colleagues, and with several missed Westbury tackles, the hosts were able to stretch their lead to 25 – 15, which took away the chance of Westbury even claiming the losing bonus points.
Westbury tried hard to get another score, but it was not to be. Having so many players injured early in the match definitely had an impact on the result in that the replacements were having to be brought on early, disrupting the game plan.
There will no let-up in pressure on the club to gain that elusive 2nd home win of the season as Westbury are next at home to high flyers Frome 2nds.
