HEAD coach Danny Thomas remains confident that Chippenham can climb the National Three South West table after Christmas despite a rocky first half of the season.

The Allington Field’s 37-15 home defeat by leaders Lydney last Saturday was their fifth on the trot, with Chippenham having won only two of their opening 12 games to lie third bottom in the table.

After last season, when Chippenham punched above their weight to secure a comfortable mid-table finish, this campaign has been a struggle, not helped by being unable to field a settled side from week to week.

But Thomas said: “We’ve had some big players missing from week to week which has been key but we’ll have one or two of those coming back and we’re pretty optimistic about taking it forward.

“Every game we’ve played we’ve come off thinking we had a chance to get something. We’ve been in a lot of matches at half time so we’ve proved we can live with teams.

“We’re disappointed we haven’t done that but the lads know it’s only an extra ten per cent that can get us there.’’

Chippenham go to Gloucestershire’s Old Patesians on Saturday and Thomas said: “We’ve been having to make five or ten changes per game, which has meant we haven’t been able to put out a stable side.

“But we’re making a few strides forward and we have got some strength in depth.’’

FOR MORE RUGBY NEWS, REPORTS & PICTURES SEE THURSDAY'S GAZETTE & HERALD AND FOLLOW US ON TWITTER @gazsport