WITNEY started the New Year with a disappointing 31-3 defeat at struggling Chippenham in South West 1 East.

The west Oxfordshire side made a bright start, but a lost line-out gifted Ryan Parry the ball and the scrum half ran in to score.

Chippenham made it 12-0 five minutes later, when Ryan Surry crossed.

And Witney trailed 19-0 at half-time after Bradley Doggett went over.

Dom Riccio converted two of the tries.

Witney replied with a penalty from Henry Lamb after the break, but Chippenham regained control.

The visitors has Arron Lambourne sin-binned and the home side made it 24-3, when Dan Carter crossed.

A penalty try soon followed after Witney were penalised for standing up in the scrum.

Riccio converted to complete the scoring.