Chichester 22 v 30 Tottonians

After their electric start Blues will be disappointed they didn’t get something from this game.

Chichester made 6 changes to the team that lost narrowly to Westcombe Park, in the first match of the season. Tom Belcher, Phil Veltom and Ed Bowden came into the pack, Sam Renwick and Toby Golds joined the backs and Luke Kemish was on the bench. 12 members of Chichester’s squad had come through the Mini and Junior ranks. The afternoon was overcast, with a light wind ruffling the trees in Vultures Corner. After the dry summer the grass on the Oaklands Park pitch was lush.

Chichester came out of the traps at pace and immediately put Tottonians under pressure. After some resolute defending the visitors conceded a penalty which Blues kicked for position. From the subsequent lineout the ball was spun out wide to outflank the Tottonians defence, with Charlie Wallace touching down in the corner. Conversion missed. 5 - 0 and 10 minutes gone. From the restart Chichester won the ball and headed off down the slope towards the try line. An inside pass from Renwick wrong footed the defence and Ben Polhill was on hand to dot down next to the posts. Converted. 12 - 0 with 15 minutes on the clock. The Chichester faithful on the balcony were expectant! Chichester continued to apply pressure, without reward, and finally Tottonians responded driving Blues back to their try line. Resolute defending, and handling errors prevented the opposition scoring. Chichester infringed in their 22 and Tottonians opted for the scrum, pushing Blues across the try line to score. Converted. 12 - 7. Neither team was able to gain an advantage in the final minutes of the half. Half time. 12 - 7.

Tottonians started the second half the same way Chichester had started the first. After 3 minutes Blues infringed and Searle, Tottonians impressive kicker, stroked the ball between the uprights. 12 - 10. Straight from the kick-off Chichester knocked on and Tottonians advanced up the pitch gaining 40 metres. A scrambled Blues’ defence seemed to halt the attack but the ball was off loaded for a Tottonian try next to the posts. Converted. 12 - 17 and 45 minutes played. Straight from the restart Chichester won a lineout. Once again the ball was spun out wide to outflank the Tottonians defence. Ben Robson cut inside to outpace the defenders and touch down, with a twisting lunge across the line. Converted. 19 - 17 and 48 minutes played with both teams down to 14 men after some hand bags. With Chichester looking for a bonus point try a long clearance kick deep into Tottonians’ territory was returned by the fast running full back for a simple pass and easy score under the posts. Converted. 19 - 24. Chichester applied pressure and Tottonians infringed in front of the posts for Tom Hutchin to slot the penalty. 22 - 24 and just over 20 minutes to play. Chichester made a promising break towards Vultures Corner with the final pass being adjudged forward. From the resultant scrum Tottonians headed back into the Blues’ half. An infringement provided Tottonians with an opportunity to kick for touch and set up a driving maul from the lineout. Chichester struggled to halt the Tottonians juggernaut and a penalty was conceded. Converted. 22 - 27. With time running out Chichester over threw a lineout and Tottonians proceeded to go through the phases to run down the clock. An infringement 35 yards out gave Tottonians the opportunity to put the match out of reach. Searle once again stroked the ball between the uprights. 22 - 30. In the dying moments, and with 2 points at stake, Chichester upped the tempo and advanced close to the opposition try line. Nail biting stuff in front of the balcony but Tottonians dug in and held out. Full time. 22 - 30.

After their electric start Blues will be disappointed they didn’t get something from this game.

Chichester squad: Prior, Belcher, Veltom, Bowden, Taylor, Polhill, Wallace (Captain), Johnson, Goodwin, McLagan, Hutchin, Seaman, Renwick, Robson, Golds, Maxfield, Kemish and Martin.

Next Saturday (15th of September) Chichester make their second trip of the month to Kent to play Medway at Priestfields. Kick-off is at 15:00.