JASON Forster has paid tribute to the backroom team he believes are helping turn Chippenham into a sustainable force at National League level.

The Allington Field head coach saw flanker Frazer Clilverd and wing Ryan Surry run in two tries each as the home side started 2013 as they ended 2012 – with a try spree on home turf.

While the players’ performances have proved up to the mark – with the club safely ensconced in mid-table – former Wales international Forster says the coaching structure is also reaping dividends.

“The coaching structure is right and there is a good mix there,’’ said the ex-Dragons man. “I think we’ve got a good balance there and that we have a solid sustainable club, with teams doing well in their leagues.’’

“We brought Dale (Burn, his Welsh compatriot) in to work with the backs. Last year the (first team) backs scored about 36 tries in total, now it’s 45 already. They’ve got on to what Dale wants and have produced the goods.

“We’ve got good combinations throughout between forwards and backs, but we’ve also got people who do so much work behind the scenes.

“The likes of Kevin Snape (first team manager) is Chippenham through and through and is the glue that holds us together and there are a lot of people doing a hell of a lot of work and we appreciate their time and effort.’’

Struggling Oxford were by no means pushovers, but Chippenham’s clinical finishing proved too much.

Full-back Sam Saunders kicked an early penalty and converted interception tries scored by Surry and Rupert Crockett.

Centre Luke Evans scored a length-of-the-field effort for the visitors, converted by fly-half Will Hilton, but skipper Bobby Lyons scored after Surry’s chip-ahead before half time for the hosts, who had lock Mat Bye sin-binned after what looked like a case of mistaken identity by Devon referee Simon Lane.

Clilverd and Surry added scores after breaks in the early stages of the second half, Saunders converting once.

A late flourish brought scores for flanker John Boddington and Clilverd again late on, Harrold Whittington crossing and Hilton converting for Oxford.