BRADFORD on Avon head coach Dave George rated Saturday's 20-14 triumph at Chippenham 2nd as his side's hardest assignment of the Dorset & Wilts One North campaign to date.
The visitors stayed in touch with leaders Combe Down despite missing out on a try bonus point at Allington Fields.
"It was a good start (to 2018),'' said George. "They were a lot stronger than they were earlier in the season (when Bradford won 71-19) and I would say that was the toughest (test) so far.
"We had quite a few missing - Josh Felix, second rows Jack Rutland and Joe Cahill and Oli Bilton were all missing - but we toughed it out and got the result.
"Our defence was on fire and we scored three very good counter-attacking tries.''
Bradford went 5-0 up through a try from full-back Ross Dewar, but Chippenham responded with a converted score to take the lead.
Tries from Murray Dewar and Vaughan Conybear, coupled with a conversion and penalty from Lewis Somerville put the visitors in control but Chippenham scored again to set up an exciting finish.
Melksham's clash with Supermarine at Oakfields lasted just 16 minutes before being abandoned as the referee sustained a leg injury and was unable to continue.
Melksham were leading with a try from Luke Cador, converted by Callum Hurn.
Warminster were beaten 38-0 at Minety.
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