THE future is looking bright for Royal Wootton Bassett rugby after their U17 side claimed the Dorset & Wilts Cup at the weekend.

The young side have experienced incredible success in the last few years, having won the Division Two title, followed by the Division One title last season. But having made it through to the final of the Dorset & Wilts Cup last year they stumbled at the last hurdle, losing to Wimbourne.

With that defeat still fresh in many of the players’ minds; it was understandable that they got off to a tentative start against Bradford on Avon on Sunday.

Both sides made trips into the opposition 22 during the first half but mistakes meant that the score remained level going into the break.

After a half-time rally from coaches Mark Roshier and Gary Darragh, Bassett came out stronger in the second half and got their rewards five minutes in when Dan Thompson went over the line for the first score of the game.

That try was followed up when Jake O’Neil crossed the white-wash to give the young side a 10-0 lead.

Bradford continued to push but tries from Dan Sweeney and Tom Davies ensured that Bassett were able to avenge last year’s defeat and led to jubilant scenes on the final whistle.

“It was a match where both teams were finding each other out and were afraid to lose the game and mistakes were happening,” said Roshier.

“Gary and myself went on at half time to tell the players to be a bit more direct and it seemed to work.

“Last year the lads were disappointed having gone all the way to Swanage to lose in the final. We told them that they don’t get many chances to play in a final and to make the most of it and there were scenes of jubilation at the end of the game.

“What is a shame is that of the 44 who played in the final, not one of them are in the Bath Academy or the Dorset & Wilts development side.

“For me they are the best team in the Dorset & Wilts league and on their day they can beat anybody. For us winning is just a by-product and the future is looking good for Wootton Bassett Rugby.’’

CHIPPENHAM retained the Bristol Combination Cup with a 41-0 triumph over Keynsham at Bristol Saracens RFC.

Watched by club chairman Iain Beswick and despite missing the watching Al MacKenzie, Ollie Clements and Finn Regan, Chippenham weathered the first 10-minute onslaught from their opponents before their fast-flowing rugby started to trouble the Keynsham defence.

Two tries and a conversion gave the Wiltshire side a 12-0 half-time lead and, playing downhill after the break, they used the advantage well, enjoying the majority of territory.

James Utton and Dan Allison scored two tries each, while further scores came from Connor D’Aubigny, Louis Ayliffe and Tom Royston.

Jack Smith added four points through conversions and Ayliffe also landed a conversion.