HOCKEY: Russ gets hosts on the march (From This Is Wiltshire)

CHIPPENHAM moved up to second in the Davis Wood League De Cymru & The Marches One division with a 4-2 victory over Stroud.

They were ahead inside a minute as a well-executed routine allowed Russ McQuillan to fire home.

Skipper Ben Snell forced a save from the goalkeeper and the resulting long corner led to Ollie Whitaker scoring from the top of the D.

Chippenham then lifted their foot off the pedal and Stroud scored wither side of half time to level the scores.

But the hosts regained composure and after a well-worked move up the left , Snell fed Ben Jones who scored.

They sealed victory with another well-worked short corner finished by McQuillan.

Marlborough were unable to kick-start their Championship campaign as they were beaten 2-1 at Exeter University C.

The visitors were pushed on to the back foot in the first half and Exeter capitalised on sharp work in the D to win several penalty corners, one of which was converted.

Marlborough pushed forward, led by excellent play from centre back Chris Jones and man of the match Will Hughes up front.

But the game seemed to be drifting away from them until, midway through the second half, Hughes’ deft finish levelled the scores .

A nervy last 15 minutes ensued and fortune favoured the home side as a set of deflections sent them back into the lead.

Devizes fought back from 3-1 down to earn a home Central Two point.

The hosts were slow out of the blocks and Marlborough took the lead through Ian Phillips.

Home pressure eventually told as a direct ball into the circle was deflected in by the rampaging Tom Griffiths.

Devizes though, were made to pay for lapses in concentration as Marlborough scored twice before half time.

The home side though improved in the second period the constant pressure resulting in a penalty corner converted by Andy Tookey.

They levelled when Ollie Smith picked up the loose ball on halfway before making a pacy run and finding the supporting Charlie Doel who slotted home.

Chippenham A romped to a 10-0 hammering of Swindon B in East Central One.

Both sides went into the game with 100 per cent records but Swindon were undone by Chippenham striker Mark Knight, who scored seven goals.

Dave Lennard, midfielder Mark Neale and Adam Wheeler also scored, with an impressive performance from the team’s youngest member George Claverly.