Chichester Blues ring the changes

Chichester 38 Sutton and Epsom 7.

Chichester welcomed traditionally strong Sutton and Epsom to Oakland’s park following last weeks titanic battle in the sun with Sidcup knowing that although S&E had struggled so far this term they were capable of testing Chi and indeed they promised as much on their website.
Feet firmly on the ground the blues preparation was further hampered by yet more injuries – a roll call of first team level players: injured Jon Lindsay unfortunately after battling back from cruciate ligament rupture is now out for at least six months with another serious knee injury (we wish him well with his recovery) Nick Blount, Niall Goldie, Tom Lowe, Andy Gray, Moses Kasujja, Ash Wheeler and unavailable Mark Giddings, Sevi Seviua, Ben Robson,Richard Adams,Jamie Knowles and Ross Fairbairn. But the blues took the opportunity to offer débuts to Chris Wagstaff,Jack Taggart and Ollie Wilson with Mike Uta coming onto the bench and several other players forcing their way into the team from strong 2s performances.
Chichester won this game comfortably enough in the end by 6 tries and 3 conversions to one converted try. A bright first half brought 26 points without reply but the Blues went off the boil and the play became more even. This was a little disappointing but Chi can feel pleased with their sixth consecutive win and their 3 point lead at the top of the league. They have scored 259 points on the pitch with 37 tries and are building an enviable record on home turf.
It took just 5 minutes for the electronic scoreboard to move. A high kick by right winger Toby Golds defeated the receiver and Lewis Joiner followed to snatch and run in from the 22. Extras added by Stuart Pearham.A Chi attack was ruined by dropping the ball and in another outside centre Jack Walker was firmly tackled as he went for a gap.Phil Dickin made a half break from the back row which gave a scrum outside the Sutton 22. Quick passing across the backs found full back Billy Toone on the charge, offloading to Pearham and on to Golds who cantered across at the right corner. Two minutes later, hooker Rob Lawrence came away with the ball in typical style, sold his dummy and passed crisply to Golds who cut inside and scorched a diagonal route to the posts, finishing with his modest dive. Conversion by Pearham,19-0 after 15 minutes. Sutton moved into the Chi half and there was some sloppy defence by the home side which led to a Sutton penalty which drifted wide. Blues were dominating scrums, Scott Barlow and Darren Lockyer securing good lineout ball from the Lawrence throws, and Phil Veltom carrying consistently over the gain line. Nick Shopland delivered a thumping tackle despite some blurred vision from an accidental finger in the eye. Chi pressure from penalties kicked to the corner was relieved by a monster clearance kick from Sutton's hard working scrum half Murray. Ben Polhill, as always, was on hand to end a moment of danger before Joiner made a promising half break. Sadly he fell awkwardly in the tackle and was carted off to hospital with an ankle injury. Just before the break Chi launched an all-out assault and Sutton held on desperately. The drives went in and although held up on the line, a final surge saw Barlow crash over for the fourth try and bonus point. Half time 26-0.
Chi continued pressing and Toone ran hard towards the try line but was knocked flat by a full-on collision. From a scrum 10 metres out, Polhill now at no.8.picked up and brushed aside the last defence to touch down. Extras added by Pearham.Now Sutton revived and began to win territory.Polhill had to make another excellent tackle to upend their tall left winger. Walker followed his example to stop a thrust in the centre. The Chi defence stood firm for five minutes and returned to the other end looking for more reward. Toone demonstrated his dance steps once more and then a drive by Barlow was just held off but illegally. A Sutton flanker was given a yellow card for his error. The penalty went to Vulture's corner and from lineout and driving maul Lawrence scored with relative ease. Still in Sutton's 22, Barlow tried to do better than his backs with an optimistic high pass which was seized by Sutton's speedster Whitaker who hared 70 metres to the Chi posts despite a good chase by Wilson hurtling across from his wing to try to tap his heels. A spectacular consolation try and conversion by Murray. Sutton had one more go but an experienced forward was yellow carded by the efficient referee for trying to stamp his authority on a ruck.It finished at 38-7.
The Blues have a huge challenge at Basingstoke next week. The Hampshire club is in second place and have also won all their games. We would like to have as many travelling supporters as possible. at Down Grange, Pack Lane, Basingstoke.
MOM Ben Polhill
Chi squad Shopland Lawrence Veltom Barlow[capt.] Taggart Lockyer Polhill Dickin Wagstaff Toone Wilson Joiner Walker Golds Toone Corrigan OCallaghan Uta.
Paul Colley said' We looked a very good team at times but we were inconsistent and too many handling errors. Sutton never gave up and gave a good account in the second half.'