Southend 21 v 12 Chichester

Chichester made the long trip to Essex in miserable weather and after being on course for another win they finally came away empty handed. It was their first ever visit to one of the oldest rugby clubs in the country. They scored their second try 10 minutes into the second half to go ahead 12 - 9 but the Saxons put them under great pressure and scored two tries and a conversion to clinch it. The hosts were well organised with a grinding front five and a tall playmaker at inside centre who kicked eleven of their points. Chichester had a couple of chances to nick it but they were missed and in the end Saxons were worthy winners.

With Richard Adams unavailable and Phil Dickin injured in training, Jak Evans was at scrum half, Henry Anscombe at fly half, and Taff Davies returned to inside centre. Army player Ben Naiyaga was nearside flanker and Ross Miller on the bench returning from injury.

They kicked off on a very cold afternoon with the pitch heavy from earlier sleet and rain. Both teams explored their options and Aaron Davies in the lineout and Jack Maslen at full back caught high balls securely. Chris Johnson made the first of his charges but there were problems up front with the Saxons tight head disrupting and Chichester moving backwards. Phil Veltom came from the bench to shore things up. Saxons won territory and Chichester had to tackle hard before they were penalised and Burr kicked three points confidently. Kicking exchanges were fruitless before Chichester were penalised for “crossing” which is happening too often. Burr kicked splendidly from 40 metres. 6 - 0 to Saxons. Chichester got into the game with carries by Veltom, Nick Blount and Ben Robson. From a lineout Anscombe and Johnson probed and Saxons received a yellow card for a high tackle. An attack took Chichester to the right corner and a lineout drive put Ben Naiyaga over for the first try. 6 - 5. The conversion drifted left of the posts. Saxons were having more of the play and it was clear their scrum would continue to be a strong platform. Nick Blount and Jack Bentall were holding their own against a very tall Saxon lock at the rear of the lineout. Saxons pressed and Chichester were penalised at a ruck, Burr adding 3 more points. 9 - 5 to the Saxons at the break.

The restart kick was caught by Blount and Chichester drove with a long kick by Anscombe. A lineout and drive chance was ruined by a crooked throw. Another lineout and catch by Davies gave Johnson the ball and in typical buccaneering style he broke through the defence. He was tackled just short of the try line, but the ball was sent across the backs for Maslen to score left of the posts. Converted by Taff Davies. 9 - 12. At this point the odds were on Blues to win. But it all went wrong when Naiyaga was sin binned for a high tackle. Saxons capitalised with a scrum and blindside break on the left wing, sending Gould (no relation) over at the corner. Conversion too difficult. 14 - 12 Saxons. They then pinned Chichester for nearly 15 minutes in their 22 and there were several 5 metre scrums with Veltom off with a rib injury and hooker Jack Arden-Brown with a leg strain. Chichester tackled like demons to keep Saxons out but finally a lovely grubber kick went behind the posts to the left for winger Griffiths to win the chase and touch down. Converted. Chichester at last got to the other end and both Sam Renwick and Robson just failed, being brought down by covering tackles. A penalty 25 metres out was spurned and lineout drive was turned over at the try line, so Chichester lost the chance of a losing bonus. 21 - 12 and a welcome win for Saxons.

Chichester squad: Deavall, Arden-Brown, Vadei, Blount, A.Davies, Naiyaga, Bentall (capt.), Johnson, Evans, Anscombe, Robson, O.Davies, Renwick, Seaman, Maslen, Veltom, Shepherd and Miller.

Next week Chichester face the top team Tonbridge Juddians at Oaklands Park. All support needed against the firm promotion favourites.