The psychology of sportspeople is fascinating and elite sports players now employ sports psychologists to help them with the mental side of the game. Rafael Nadal said when he was playing, his psychologist got him to think that match point at one of the majors needed to be internalised as simply the next point, much like the first point of the match. He certainly played with his heart on his sleeve and the outpouring of emotion at the end of each of his twenty two major wins was almost visceral at times. Compare that to the reaction of Elena Rybakina who won the Australian Open Tennis last Friday. No throwing her self on the floor in celebration, no wild histrionics but a simple smile as she walked to the net to embrace the beaten finalist Aryna Sabalenka. Different sports people, wildly different reactions to winning a sporting contest.

And in winning their sporting contest on Saturday at Monks Lane the Chippenham players celebrated massively at the final whistle. Of course they had every right to but going into the last couple of plays of the game with them leading by nine points they were in no danger of losing the game and the extent of their celebrations suggested they knew they had been in a hard fought game and were relieved when the final whistle went. So congratulations to all eighteen Blues players who gave it everything and came close to beating second in the table Chippenham who have only lost two games this season and one of those by one point against league leaders Trowbridge. There should be a huge amount of pride within the squad even though there will be disappointment about losing the game. The team will have gained a lot of self confidence by pushing the visitors close. Chippenham are clearly a well organised and skilful team, whose offloading out of contact in the first half was quite something and which in large part was responsible for them opening up a sixteen point half time lead. There are things that need to be improved and James McAvoy said,"we'll work on our red zone finishing in being clinical in opponents twenty two and continue on defensive actions, but what a source of pride."

There were a lot of positives to take away. Player of the match Kyle Doel had a massive impact throughout the game, Chris Laidler is proving to be a real link man to Blues wide attack, Blues scrum dominance was evident and the lineout functioned well. There is also real competition for places and Blues are in a good position going into the final few months of the season. James points out that with Toby Thorne returning to action after his injury he brings his significant communication skills to the team, and there is real strength in depth at number nine with Toby, Beau and Sidney all fighting for that scrum half position. It's much the same in the back three and let's not forget the Stags. As a new recruit, front row Sam Thompson got player of the match for his performance at Chipping Norton.

Blues got off to a good start with Kyle Doel securing an early turnover and Chris Harvey and Harry Waye Branch combining well in attack to give Blues a platform from which they secured penalty. Dan Thorne kicked the goal to put Blues three nil up in the first quarter. The lead did not last long though and when Chippenham were awarded a penalty they kicked to the corner, secured their line out and their forwards rumbled over to take the score to 3-5 . From the restart Chippenham set up a series of strong attacks and within seven minutes, sustained pressure from the visitors led to them scoring three more tries. Twenty five minutes in, with the score at 3-26 Blues now had a mountain to climb to get back into the game. As has happened often this season Blues scrum was showing dominance and with Chippenham probing strongly, Blues pack won a penalty at a defensive five metre scrum to relieve pressure. From here Blues were awarded a penalty just over the half way line and Ben Hurford John took a quick tap, beat a number of Chippenham players and went over over for Blues first try, converted by Dan Thorne to take the score to 10-26. Half time was approaching and Michael Klikovicz was bundled into touch after he had made a penetrating run deep into Chippenham territory. However there was to be no more scoring and the score remained at 10-26 at the interval.

I'm guessing the dressing room chat at half time would have been about scoring first in the second half, but that didn't happen and after Blues had given away a couple of penalties, Chippenham found themselves with an attacking lineout and it was almost a deja vu moment from the first half, with their pack mauling and rumbling over for their fifth try of the afternoon. Blues were now twenty three points adrift and the game seemed to be slipping away. But it didn't and Blues started a fightback which at one point pulled the lead back to only four points. Harry Waye Branch went over to touch down but the try was disallowed for a knock on in the build up but then Kliki linked with Ben Hurford John who ran in for his second try of the afternoon, converted by Dan Thorne, to cut the arrears to sixteen points. Chippenham were now having to do a lot of defending as Blues began to test the visitors defence. Sam Bramhall was held up just as he was about to score and soon after Blues were awarded a penalty. The decision was to take the scrum and with the forwards showing great technique and strength they pushed the Chippenham pack almost to their own try line and number eight Will Osborne picked up the ball from the base and went over for Blues third try of the game. Chippenham knew they were now in a real game as Blues continued to pile on the pressure. From a fantastic scrum which went forwards at a rate of knots, Sidney Adams almost went over but quick recycling by Blues made space for Ben Hurford John to touch down for his hat trick try. The successful conversion by Dan Thorne made the score 29-33. Five minutes left, all to play for. And then the bubble burst. Chippenham for the first time for almost the whole of the final quarter broke out, won a penalty, kicked to touch and like two of their previous tries the forwards once again rumbled over for what would prove to be the decisive score. The last few plays of the game all took place in the shadow of the Chippenham posts. Conceding a number of penalties the visitors found themselves defending vigorously as time ticked down and unfortunately Blues were once again held up as they were about to score. It wasn't to be and final whistle sounded with the final score 29-38 to Chippenham.

Well done to all the players from both sides who provided an exciting match for the large crowd and as always thanks to our loyal supporters who got behind the team, something the lads are always grateful for. Thanks also to our sponsors who make a significant contribution to the club, to Berkshire Society referee Dave Elliott, to coaches and managers and a word about Club Medic Martin Paice. It is always comforting to the players to have Paicey in attendance and he has a crucial input assisting the coaches on injuries. It is good to know that if Martin says a player needs to come off or is not fit for selection, that is a definitive decision, player welfare being the first priority to all involved in the team.

No game next Saturday, all eyes on Twickenham for the visit of Wales and Rome for the visit of Scotland. And spare a thought for the travelling Irish fans and French fans from the south of France this week. Fans will travel, because they always do, but come off it, Thursday evening Six Nations games. Not so sure about this.

Next up for Blues is North Dorset away on 14th February. Quick trip down the A303 and you're there. The match earlier in the season resulted in a seventeen all draw so all to play for. On the same day Stags host second in the table Didcot and all the best to both teams. And don't forget our Pink Charity day on 28th February when Blues host Keynsham. There are no Six Nations games that weekend so every reason to head to Monks Lane and enjoy what will be a very good day at the club for a great charitable cause.