Blue's hopes of rare away win are sunk at Sidcup

Chichester and their small band of travelling fans were intensely disappointed to lose this game by a converted try and three penalties to two penalties. Facing opponents who had not lost in their last ten matches, Chi totally dominated for the opening 20 minutes and had gilt-edged chances to score tries. Wrong options allowed Sidcup to hold them up on the line and from then on the Blues were driven back by the home side's trademark rolling mauls. These gained the win, aided by excellent penalty kicks. It might have been different, especially if the referee had not added 15 minutes for injuries in the first half when Chi were reduced to 14 players and conceded the try.

On a soft pitch following rain, the Blues made inroads immediately and drove hard into the Sidcup 22. Scrums were solid and Nick Blount soared to win lineouts. Possession led to backs moves, with Ross Fairbairn and Rudi Upton coming from deep to find gaps. Sidcup went offside to stem pressure but Richard Adams unluckily struck the upright with his kick. Twice overlaps were created and it looked easier to score than not with two on one situations. Individuals went for glory, were stopped before grounding and the chances were gone. Sidcup were shaken and their tight head prop was given a yellow and not a red card for punching strongman Nick Shopland and damaging his youthful good looks. Adams kicked the three penalty points, but scant reward for Chi's efforts. Now the match turned as Sidcup recovered and started the mauling machine, with shrewd line kicks for position. Powerful drives took them to the corner and full back Hardy opened his account with a penalty kick. Chi defended bravely but on 45 minutes the hand of Phil Veltom was detected fiddling on the ground and he was sent to the cooler to ponder his sin and the possible consequence. Hardy was successful with the penalty and now Chi were under the cosh as Sidcup knew it was now or perhaps never. They hung on somehow but the referee refused to blow the half time whistle and in the 53rd minute, the Blues gave away a penalty for a silly offence, the ball was quickly sent to the left corner and catch and drive finally put hooker Wilson over to make it 13-3 after Hardy's conversion.

The second half proved evenly balanced with neither side able to penetrate firm defences. Chi had to be more adventurous but Sidcup's battle-hardened front five were hard to shift and no.8 West was adept in all he did. Encouraging aspects for Chi were some classy runs by Fairbairn, secure catching by Upton and two huge touch kicks by Adams. In the forwards, Rob Lawrence, Chris Johnson and Veltom made ground but met determined second line defenders. However, although scrum half Jon Reid did his best to launch the backs with quick ball, the passing was not snappy enough and kicks over the top were too long to be dangerous. Adams kicked his second penalty and at 13-6 a draw was still possible. But turnovers cost them dear and Sidcup counter attacked. They also were guilty of some handling errors in useful space. Blount and Scott Barlow continued to win Chi's lineout throws and a powerful drive by Veltom led to Chi's fifth penalty kick which just missed once more. One of those days! Hardy made no mistake with Sidcup's third penalty and at 16-6 they were safe. The Blues attacked in numbers at the end but the stable door was shut.

Chi's youthful squad is learning some hard lessons from experienced campaigners in the leading clubs. Hopefully they will carry the knowledge into next season and perhaps even beat Sidcup at the fifth attempt. The Blues stay fifth in the league as others near them also lost. Sidcup have an outside chance of finishing second and they certainly breed them tough at Crescent Farm. Next week Chi are at home to Wimbledon for another challenging game, kick off 3p.m.

Chi squad:- Shopland Lawrence Veltom Barlow Blount Johnson B. Polhill Kasujja Reid Taylor Adams T.Polhill Renwick Fairbairn Upton O'Hagan O'Callaghan Madden.