Hockey: Chippenham deservedly sealed the Avon league title with a game to go with a convincing win at home to mid-tabled Old Bristolians.
The home side started brightly on a warm afternoon retaining the ball and forcing their opposition to chase shadows.
With James Hamilton having a storming game on Chippenham’s right early opportunities fell to Alex Thomas and Mark Knight A as a result of his fine runs behind the OB’s defence.
Thomas again went close, his reverse stick shot was well saved by the visiting keeper.
Against the run of play OB’s won a short corner and took the lead from a straight strike.
Going a goal down galvanised Chippenham with immediate affect, the passing became slicker and excellent play between Luke Morris and Cameron Main won Chippenham a short corner of their own.
Nigel Stonham saw his low flick rebound back off the post but Mark Knight was on hand to slap in the rebound.
Chippenham continued to press and their second goal followed shortly when Morris fed Thomas who beat two players before wrong footing the ‘keeper and calmly slotted the ball home.
The scoreline stayed the same until half time.
Chippenham came out strongly in the second half and piled the pressure on their tiring opponents with Knight’s first time deflection fizzing over the bar from Ward’s through ball.
Chippenham remain patient and continued to hold the ball around the back with Bean, Stonham and Chris Sampson keeping calm and using Hamilton as an outlet.
He forging run and pass released Thomas who coasted round his marker who then fouled him bringing a short corner.
Chippenham scored their third when Luke Morris deflected Stonham pass first time to make the game safe.
OB’s looked to get back into the game and attacked on the break but were unable to get passed Bean who was in imperious form.
A misplaced pass from Dave Ward was picked up by an opposition player but he was superbly robbed by Sampson who picked out Stonham who in turn used Ben Jones and James Hamilton.
The ball was then transferred left to Colin Fisher whose cross was met by Knight who scored the fourth of the afternoon.
Knight again scored after fine approach play with an unstoppable flick leaving the ‘keeper motionless.
OB’s continued to try to get something out of the game and came close to scoring on the break bringing a fine save from home ‘keeper Howard Simons.
Chippenham went five goals ahead again through Knight who completed his hattrick with a simple tap in after the hard work was done by Main and Luke Morris.
Chippenham continued to press and were rewarded with their sixth goal and Knight’s fourth of the day when Ben Jones won the ball in midfield beat two players before laying the ball of to Thomas who setup Knight to score at the second time of asking off the visiting ‘keeper.
With City of Bath losing Chippenham’s fine win sealed the league title and now play their last game of the season again at home to West Wilts.
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