HOCKEY WILTS & NE SOMERSET 1: Wootton Bassett dropped valuable points in a 2-2 draw at home against bottom of the table Chippenham.

The home side got off to a confident start, exerting continuous pressure on their local rivals, but it was the visitors who scored first when they broke away, drove hard towards goal and wrong-footed Lee Baldry with a reverse flick after 10 minutes.

Bassett continued to press, peppering the Chippenham goal, although Baldry was called upon to palm away a goalbound effort from a rare attack by the visitors and the scoreline remained 1-0 at half-time.

After the break the home side's pressure finally took its toll, Paul Vines equalising from a penalty stroke which he flicked high into the net.

During the next 20 minutes, several more chances for Bassett went begging until eventually a free hit from 30 metres by Spurling was skilfully deflected into goal by Steve Gardner for 2-1.

Despite further pressure, Bassett were unable to extend their lead and then, with four minutes to go, Chippenham stole an equaliser when they broke away.

Despite a valiant attempt by Baldry to block the shot, he saw the deflection loop up into the air and drop agonisingly just under the cross bar.

Bassett now threw everything forward, desperate to regain the lead, but the clock ticked away and Chippenham held on for a draw at the final whistle.

Team: Baldry, Mumford, Spurling, Skivington, Vines, Tolley (capt), Edgar, Kirkup, Bray, Chivers, Gardner, Sammon, Davies

  • Bassett's young second string also drew 2-2 at home against Devizes 3rds.

Bassett found themselves two goals down within the first 15 minutes.

But the home side tightened their marking and built several good attacking moves, before forcing the visitors to concede a short corner on the half hour.

Ali Sammon dragged the ball out to the edge of the circle and it was picked up by Ian Martin and slipped to Mark Turner to hit the ball home from close range for Bassett's first goal.

After the break Bassett again competed well. Their forward line had a number of unsuccessful attempts on goal before a Matt Jakubiec shot rebounded to Neal Sharp to strike home for the equaliser mid-way through the second half.

Both sides then had chances to win the game before Devizes conceded a penalty stroke following a short corner by Bassett. Unfortunately Sammon was unable to convert when his stroke hit the post.

Team: Warren, Pearce, White, Snell, Showering, Cook, Turner, Sammon, Sharp, Jakubiec, Wiltshire, Martin, Black, Sammon.

The 1st XI team are not playing next Saturday, but the 2nd XI are at home to Bridgwater, 1pm pushback at Lime Kiln.