Clifton took another step toward clinching the South West One title by overcoming a Chippenham side that lacked both invention and confidence with a merciless second half display which saw them score 35 points without reply.

The home side played with a strong wind at their backs in the first period as well as benefiting from having the slope in their favour but could only manage a penalty as Clifton dominated proceedings.

The home side was very competitive at the breakdown and it became apparent that they were going to try to cause as much disruption as possible in order to try to frustrate the league leaders and knock the off of their stride.

Chippenham opened the scoring in the 20th minute with their only score of the match when centre Grant Trewartha slotted a 30- metre penalty. Clifton held all the aces but found the home sides defence a tough nut to crack as they threw bodies into contact as if their lives depended on it.

On the stroke of half time the Henbury based side was rewarded when after a series of charges at the line, skipper Dan Frost burrowed his way over from close range to take them into half time with a 5-3 advantage.

Clifton had the elements in their favour in the second half and wasted little effort by kicking for position when the opportunities arose.

Chippenham were penned in their own half for most of the remainder of the match and never looked like breaking out. In the 54th minute former England wing, David Rees cruised in after being put into a gap by centre David Butlers pin-point pass. Fly half John Barnes converted.

As the half wore on the much larger Chippenham forwards began to tire and Clifton's more mobile pack began to run riot with lock Darren Barry and hooker Sam Wilkes particularly prominent in the loose.

The floodgates opened in the final quarter. First wing Andy Bell cantered in for a try. Barnes slotted the extras and added three further conversions.

Straight from the kick off number eight John Levis touched down followed by centre Steve Leonard before Bell collected his second try of the day to complete Clifton's ruthless demolition of the Wiltshire side.

But Clifton's result was marred as they could loose the services of prolific wing Ollie Sills who had to leave the field with a shoulder injury.