The Blues went on the road on Saturday with their backs against the wall. With a series of injuries already hampering preparation the match against Tonbridge Juddians looked even more difficult, with several key players also unavailable. Over recent years TJs have always represented a very tough challenge with resources to field a very powerful squad and this year was no different. Additionally, they have pulled in several of the former East Grinstead outfit including their backs coach former Irish international Justin Bishop.

Saturday was a day for the club to rally around and players to step up and this they did. Danny Gray played his first game of the season and big Ski Sauliga played his first game for several years having been a regular for the Blues prior to their promotion into the National League.

Both were going to be needed as TJs took the field with a huge pack and some very powerful backs. The game kicked off with a beautiful hanging kick from Henry Anscombe but the Blues let TJs of the hook with a missed tackle and the Reds made early ground. The first few forward exchanges were very physical but whilst the home side had a solid lineout thanks to 2 massive jumpers the away side struggled to find any platform from the lineout. This lack of ball piled on the pressure and only a couple of very big hits form Ski kept the Reds at bay. The pressure eventually told with Prescott slotting a penalty after 11 minutes. 3 - 0. Ski again rallied the Blues with several big carries punching through the Red defence with quick ball. Gray was moving the ball well and the Blues put together some exciting phases but when it mattered the final ball either went to ground or the wrong option undid the attack. TJs pounced and after 20 minutes they stretched the away defence creating a mismatch in midfield with the Reds centre ghosting away from the despairing Blues prop Vadei. 8 - 0. With little primary ball the Blues rang the changes and for the last 10 minutes of the half they defended bravely with Jon Lindsay having a very prominent game putting in a couple of massive defensive tackles. Lumbard also stepped up with a couple of crucial turnovers. Prescott did land another penalty for TJs with the score at half time 11 - 0 with Blues having created some chances. However, a seriously late tackle on Maslen was to see him leave the field injured not to return. The second half was going to be tough.

TJs upped the pace and physicality and really started to get on the front foot. Their powerful backs were starting to look dangerous and Prescott kicked well to the corners. Adams retrieved well on several occasions but the pressure kept coming. A Red try out wide increased TJs lead to 16 - 0. The Blues rallied with several excellent carries and timed passes with big Don Farmer breaking the gain line. Although the cover got there the Blues cleared well and several phases later young prop Ben Deavall scored an excellent try down the middle. 16 - 7. Briefly, the game looked on but in all honesty the home side now went up the gears and in a 20 minute period they had total domination, with the TJs’ No. 12 proving to be a very high quality player. He scored one try and had a hand in two others as the Reds increased their lead, with a further penalty from Prescott, to 37 - 7. There were still 20 minutes to play and with the home crowd cheering them on another wave of attacks led to a Reds score. 44 - 7. A hammering looked on the cards. As the Blues regrouped the Chichester spirit was epitomised by Ben Deavall who against a much bigger and more experienced opponent really started to get on top in the scrum. The never say die attitude seemed to spread across the team with Lindsay and Blount throwing everything into the contact zone. Ski, as he had done all day, kept hitting hard lines and Adams and Matthew Woodhouse almost got away from the strong defence of the home team. With 10 minutes to go the Blues won that all important lineout. With a great drive and excellent shift of the ball Jak Evans, with a little front football, showed his power smashing his opposite number out of the way to score a well-deserved try. Conversion missed. 44 - 12. The Blues were now playing for something more important than points, they were playing for the shirt and they upped the level. Great interplay between Gray and Adams who showed his pace gassing Prescott on the outside. Two more phases and the big Fijian Ski rounded the game off with a 20 metre surge bumping off the last defender to dive in at the right hand corner. Evans took his first kick of the day to land the very difficult conversion from the touchline. 44 - 19 and full time.

“I’m very proud to be Chichester RFC Director of Rugby. Today we showed massive heart and commitment with lots of challenges. The guys who pulled on the shirt today did themselves proud and their club proud.” Paul Colley

Man of the match - Jon Lindsay

Squad: Deavall, Woodworth, Vadei, Blount, O’Callaghan (capt), Lindsay, Lumbard, Sauliga, Evans, Anscombe, Woodhouse, Gray, Maslen, Miller, Adams, Gingell, Farmer and Blewitt.

Next week is a massive game as we take on Westcliff at home. Huge support is needed so please come along to the all new Oaklands Pavilion and cheer the team on.