Chichester 3 v 28 Sevenoaks

Blues' unbeaten run comes to and in monsoon conditions.

Chichester made 4 changes to the side that beat Cobham last time out. Martin O’Callaghan and Jon Lindsay came into the pack, with Luke Kemish and Alex Margason on the bench.

Having won 4 games on the bounce Chichester welcomed Sevenoaks to Oaklands Park, for the final home game of 2018, knowing that a win would move Blues further up the table. As kick-off approached the weather deteriorated and gale force winds and driving rain started to sweep across Oaklands Park.

Blues kicked off towards Oaklands Pavilion, with the wind at their backs, and immediately had Sevenoaks under pressure. With their clearance kicks held up in the wind, Sevenoaks were struggling to get out of their own half. Henry Anscombe put in a series of probing kicks, deep into opposition territory, trying to force an error in the appalling condition and Chris Johnson made a number of his trademark charges, looking to punch a hole in the defence. A Sevenoaks’ infringement at the breakdown provided Anscombe the opportunity to put in beautifully weighted kick to Vulture’s Corner. From the lineout Blues advanced towards the try line with a series of pick and goes, for what looked like a certain try. However, the defence was well organised and momentum was lost, allowing Sevenoaks to turn the ball over and clear their lines. A further opposition infringement allowed Charlie Norton the chance to open the scoring with a kick from 25 metres out. 3 - 0 and 20 minutes gone. From the restart Blues attacked again driving Sevenoaks back towards their 22 metre line. Another infringement at the breakdown provided Norton with an opportunity to increase the score but the kick, in the gusting wind, fell short. Just after the 30 minute mark Sevenoaks made a rare foray into the Chichester half creating space for the winger to head for the corner, before providing a pass inside to beat the last man for a try. Converted. 3 - 7. Chichester continued to press but were unable to convert possession into points.

Half time and 3 -7.

From the restart Sevenoaks began to build pressure with Anscombe using low raking clearance kicks to clear the Blues’ lines. However, after 7 minutes it was opposition’s turn to attack the Chichester line, with a series of pick and goes. Despite resolute defending Sevenoaks eventually found a gap to touchdown for their second try. 3 - 14. For the next quarter of an hour there was deadlock through good defensive work and poor handling, from both sides, until Sevenoaks scored a carbon copy of their second try. 3 - 21. As the clock wound down the opposition pack became more dominant and the Blues’ penalty count started to rise. And then a chink of light! Quick ball from the breakdown was passed across the backs to Sam Renwick who stretched his legs to outstrip the Sevenoaks defence, before being stopped inside the 22 metre line, by the full back. Blues soon found themselves back defending their red zone. From a scrum Sevenoaks’ pack applied pressure, Blues infringed yet again, and the referee awarded a penalty try. 3 - 28. With less than 5 minutes left, and in improving weather conditions, neither team could add to their scores and it finished 3 - 28.

Blues failed to take their chances in the first half and had no answer to the Sevenoaks’ pack in the second period. Chichester drop one place to 9th and Sevenoaks move up to 2nd in the table.

Supporter’s man of the match was Chris Johnson.

Chichester squad: Drayson, Cameron, Woods, Lindsay, O’Callaghan, Bowden, Makasi, Johnson, Seaman, Anscombe (Captain), McLagan, Thompson, Renwick, Golds, Norton, Magda, Kemish and Margason.

Next Saturday (15th December) Chichester travel to Tottonians for their final game of 2018. Kick-off is at 14:00.