In the first half of this game Chichester made the league leaders seem vulnerable and rather ordinary; but after a very stern lecture by their coaches, TJs showed their professional strength and skill to win comfortably. A 12 - 0 lead for Chichester was a false dawn on a sunny day. The Kent squad will almost certainly win automatic promotion and should hold their own in National 2. The margin was 6 tries, 4 conversions and 3 penalties to a try and 4 penalties. Welshman Taff Davies kicked 4 from 5 from the tee for Chichester, and Liam Prescott 6 from 9 for TJs.

It was Spring again in front of a large crowd boosted by the annual Farmers Lunch. Phil Dickin returned at lock and Ross Miller to the right wing. Tom Belcher was on the bench with young Elliott Quinton making his debut. The visitors had their quartet of former East Grinstead players, including Prescott who has always been a thorn in Chichester flesh. Blues kicked off with the sun behind them. Scrum half Jak Evans made an early break from a Jack Bentall lineout catch and drive. Chris Johnson carried it on and TJs went offside in the centre. First penalty easily slotted. 3 - 0. Another Evans thrust from an Aaron Davies feed put Henry Anscombe and Harry Seaman away but the latter was tackled into touch. Prescott found a good touch as TJs went forward but they were soon penalised at a breakdown. Chichester went to Vultures Corner and a lineout and drive was almost over the try line but play was brought back for an easy penalty to make it 6 - 0. Chichester stayed dominant in the set pieces and were winning turnovers when TJs tried to reply. Another penalty for obstruction was successful from nearly 40 metres. 9 - 0. Hooker Jack Arden-Brown was throwing accurately and the next jumper to win against the TJ giraffes was Nick Blount. Bentall was injured and had to be replaced by Quinton, Johnson taking over captaincy. TJs actually collapsed a scrum under pressure, and Taff Davies kicked his fourth penalty from good distance and close to the touchline. 12 - 0 to Chichester and supporters rubbing their eyes. TJs were shaken but now stirred. A penalty was missed but they mauled across field from a lineout and although the right winger was forced out, a penalty had been signalled and was kicked. TJs had arrived on the scoreboard. After the hard-working Johnson was penalised on exit from a maul, TJs drove to the left corner, Chichester tackled hard to stop pick and goes but winger Woodhouse was sin binned. Finally from the corner lineout the phases were worked and the ball sent across for centre McMahon to score the first try. Just before the break Prescott notched his second penalty. Chichester went for their rest winning 12 - 11 and well deserved.

TJs restarted after a rollicking and the hour of reckoning had come for Chichester, who were a man down for a few more minutes. Chichester were penalised at a maul and the kick from near the touchline seemed to have passed inches wide but the touch judges raised their flags. TJs ahead. Their tactics were clear: win the battle up front, drive regularly with front foot ball and spin quickly to the wings as close to the try line as possible. Big tackles had to be made by Blount, DIckin, Deavall and Quinton as TJs turned the screw. Belcher ran on and Bentall returned. A tidal wave of TJs attacks started but it was a bad kick to the wing by Chichester which was the trigger for 20 minutes of pressure. It was caught by winger Copsey who had a clear run in from 40 metres with the Chichester defence all at sea. Converted. Despite many brave tackles the Chichester defence became overstretched and TJs scored a third and then the fourth bonus point try with one conversion landed and the other missed. 33 - 12. A TJs replacement prop was soon sin binned for a high tackle on Arden- Brown. Chichester at last managed to get to the other end and Bentall started a lineout drive which was touched down by Anscombe. Conversion missed from the touchline. 33 - 17. This consolation was short lived as a fifth try was scored following fine inter passing by TJs. In the last few minutes the Chichester backs ran hard and Sam Renwick was twice stopped after half breaks. The last nail in the coffin was a 5 metre scrum for TJs and as their pack trundled forward the referee awarded a penalty try converted by outside centre Nicoll in front of the posts. Whistle blew, 47 - 17.

Chichester's dream had evaporated, but the good news was their 2nd XV beat TJs 2nds 10 - 7.

Chichester squad: Deavall, Arden-Brown, Vadei, Blount, Dickin, A.Davies, Bentall (capt.), Johnson, Evans, Anscombe, Seaman, T.Davies, Renwick, Miller, Maslen, Belcher, Quinton and Woodhouse.

A welcome rest next week, then a tough game at in-form Westcliff. Room on the coach for supporters. Please diary March 11th, April 1st and 22nd for crucial matches against Amersham, Guildford and Westcombe Park.