Chichester lost narrowly in an encouraging performance against the Kent Cup holders who lost just one home game last season. They had very limited possession but managed to score 3 tries to 2 from open play. In the end Combe won it thanks to their dominant front five but they made many mistakes and were made to struggle against Chi's excellent defence. The Blues came away with a deserved losing bonus point.

Six players made their Chi debuts, Owain 'Taff' Davies, Ross Miller, Ben Deavall and on the bench Evan Woodworth, Jack Lumbard and Tom Blewitt. The pitch was dry but a stiff breeze blew across from the west. Combe attacked but ran into firm tackles. Full back Toby Golds caught and cleared to touch as Chi resisted. After 10 minutes Chi seized a loose ball at the lineout and slick inter passing between Golds, Henry Anscombe, Phil Dickin and Chris Johnson from just inside their own half put Tom Belcher across near the right corner. It was an outstanding score and Belcher twisted cleverly as the last tackle arrived. The conversion against the wind drifted wide of the near upright. Combe resumed their pressure and from a scrum they moved well to draw in the cover and give the right winger room to score at the corner. The conversion just missed. 5 - 5. Combe knocked on from the restart, and Chi fed inside centre Rhys Thompson who beat 3 opponents in a determined diagonal run. Belcher was up in support again and he dived across for a second great try. Conversion missed. Combe replied quickly, fly half Cameron nailing a penalty for Chi not releasing at the tackle. Sadly, a penalty for Chi struck a post. Blues were now struggling in the scrum against a very large and streetwise pack and their lineout was misfiring regularly. For the last 10 minutes of the half they were under the cosh but the somehow held on with huge effort and the back row of Chris Johnson, Alex Grace and Aaron Davies tackling like demons. However, two yellow cards were received for infringements close to the line. Remarkably Chi won 2 penalties themselves to clear their lines. They had done very well and led 10 - 8 at the break. Although they had been on the back foot, they had shown their flair in counter attack and the game could still go either way.

Aaron Davies, Johnson and Dickin made good ground but a subsequent bad pass in the backs lost the ball. Combe continued to probe from scrum and lineout but ran headlong into tackles, knocked on or gave a forward pass. Chi had survived on 14 and 13 men and were now back to strength. Taff Davies sent them away from danger with a long touch kick but another poor lineout lost possession. It became a hard slog between the forwards and Grace had to leave with a bloody nose caused accidentally by a colleague. The referee kept blowing his whistle against Chi for various reasons and it became stop-start. Combe continued on top but both Thompson and Harry Seaman had useful runs. Chi had a passing movement which broke down on the left wing and Combe seized their chance as Chi had advanced without cover behind them. The Combe right winger scooped the ball and ran hard towards the other end. 2 passes and they were across for their second try. A fine conversion by Cameron who soon after kicked a good penalty to make it 18 - 10 to Combe. 10 minutes left and Anscombe sent a soaring kick to the left wing. This time it was Combe without enough cover, the only defender lost footing and Chi's replacement winger Blewitt picked up and raced 15 metres to the line, almost overrunning but responding to shouts to round the posts and dot down. Conversion by Taff Davies. 18 - 17. One point behind, 5 minutes to go. One last effort by Johnson near the Combe 22 but a penalty conceded and Combe punted to touch for the final whistle. Final score 18 - 17 to the home team who deserved it but should have done much better.

Next week Chi fly abroad from Gatwick to play Guernsey at their impressive ground. A big challenge as they started with a good win away at Colchester.

Chichester squad: Deavall, Shepherd, Belcher, O'Callaghan, Dickin, Johnson, Grace (Capt), A. Davies, Anscombe, O. Davies, Seaman, Thompson, Maslen, Miller, Golds, Woodworth, Lumbard, and Blewitt.