Top of the Table clash

Basingstoke 6 Chichester 10.
Chichester deservedly won this nail-biting top of the table clash by scoring a dramatic last minute try. They had fought hard against very strong opponents and had the lion's share of possession and attacking play. The scrums were fairly even throughout but Chi gained superiority at the lineout and were more cohesive at the breakdowns once again their forwards fronted up and secured the possession necessary to get over the try line. Stoke had their moments but indiscipline cost them yellow cards and the threat from their backs was limited by a combination of good defence and their own mistakes. The Blues scored 2 tries to 2 penalties and they now have a 5 point lead over second placed Sidcup.
The blues entered the Basingstoke cage to play on a fantastic pitch greeted by a decent crowd with many Chi supporters making the trip up in glorious autumnal weather. Chi welcomed back two long term injured players at centre in Tom Polhill and Richard Deed back after over a year out with a series double leg fracture also returning from injury was Nial Goldie at blindside flanker. Jamie Knowles stepped up to his natural position at fly half with Stuart Pearham switching to full back. They also gave a warm welcome to their oldest supporter on the touchline, 93 years old Douglas Stroud. Stoke started well, seizing a loose ball and finding a gap towards the right wing. Only a brilliant tackle from behind by Deed prevented a try. Chi won their first scrum and a lineout catch by Ben Polhill saw Scott Barlow carrying over the gain line. A scrum was taken against the head and Moses Kasujja was forced out from an attempted lineout break.Stoke's no.8 threatened with a powerful run before a Chi move out to their backs brought a penalty to the corner with no result. They conceded two penalties as Stoke advanced but Knowles cleared with a long kick to touch. Next it was Stoke's turn to win scrum against the head and a tricky kick ahead was chased back by Billy Toone to escort it for a dropout. Stoke were penalised in the centre but Pearham's 40 metres kick passed right of the posts.Kasujja tackled firmly on the Blues'22 and off went Toone with a trademark step and break to put the backs on course but winger Ben Robson was tackled out.Chi. built up pressure in Stoke territory and spent the last 15 minutes trying to penetrate the defence. A series of catch and drives from lineout’s brought them into the right corner but they were held up by solid tackles.Kasujja did break inside the 22 but his bullet pass to T.Polhill smacked into his iron chest and rebounded. Toby Golds received a pass from Pearham but was flattened by a high tackle and the Stoke inside centre was sin-binned. Barlow caught and ran from the lineout but was brought down just short of the line. Chi made mistakes and were penalised at a scrum and also knocked on in good positions to score.
As Chi ramped up the pressure the heat of battle intensified with stoke defending for their lives and giving away a series of close to the line penalities and the yellow and blues bench imploring their charges to hold out with only seven forwards and to be fair they gave everything to hang on. It had been an intense first half with a lot of action with great defence on both sides with neither side able to take their chances. 0-0 scoreline at the break is very rare these days.
With the highly vocal criticism of the stoke coach ringing in their ears the blues forwards re-entered the fray with a steely determination to up the levels even further in the second half. Chi attacked but a Golds kick ahead was too long. Both teams exchanged good kicks as they probed for gaps and fought hard at ground level for possession. Chi’s front row men Nick Shopland, Rob Lawrence and Phil Veltom were visibly upping the ante. Stoke had quick ball from a scrum but they kicked instead of retaining possession and the ball crossed the deadball line.Chi. Backs passed neatly for T.Polhill to break and win a penalty. The kick this time passed just left of the upright. Chi were penalised for handling in the ruck and Stoke's fly half Humberstone put them into the lead. Blues were stung and reacted. Jack Taggart and Veltom drove hard and earned a penalty. Opting for the kick to the right corner, the catch and drive was held by Stoke. Scrum to Chi, Kasujja picked up from the rear and with an expert turn of his body crashed over for the try. Conversion missed, 5-3 to Chi. It was now nip and tuck as B.Polhill stopped Stoke with one of several tackles he made in the game and Chi. had to clear hastily from behind their line. A very late tackle on Deed resulted in a sin bin for the Stoke open side flanker.Toone was very busy with B.Polhill and Goldie snapping up loose ball and starting drives but Chi surprisingly allowed Stoke's scrum half to break, followed by a penalty which Humberstone landed from distance to put the home side ahead again at 6-5. Chi's steel and team spirit was now really called for. With time running out they controlled a drive towards the left corner. Remaining calm and moving together, the splendid pack drove and rucked. Another yellow card shown to Stoke for infringements to stop the Chi momentum. Another pick and go with the final well-earned reward as the mighty Veltom plunged over. No conversion but the whistle blew and Chi had done it. A tremendous finish and result which will remain in the memories of the many Blues supporters who made the trip. Thanks to the Basingstoke officials and supporters who were so hospitable and friendly. We will look forward to seeing them again in February at Oakland’s Park.
Paul Colley Director of Rugby
`This was a pulsating game in which no quarter was asked or given – Basingstoke’s defence was about the best we’ve faced this season but the pressure told with the yellow and blues discipline eventually cracking.`
`The exchange referee from the South West had an excellent match throughout and marshalled a compelling top of the table battle.`
Richard Isaac Head Coach `We left it late but showed real patience and belief to get the win we fully deserved. We must however take the learning’s from this match and will need to take the points on offer – with 13 points left on the park we could have been comfortable – we gave Stoke two chances with the home team kicker taking both opportunities – thankfully our discipline was at top level to give him only these two chances`.
MOM Ben Polhill & Scott Barlow
Chi Skipper Scott Barlow `we’ve started well but that’s all it is a good start; we will enjoy today but know were back to a huge challenge against Hove next week. Home 3pm KO
Chi squad Shopland Lawrence Veltom Barlow[capt.]Taggart Goldie B.Polhill Kasujja Toone Knowles Golds T.Polhill Deed Robson Pearham Gingell Dickin Heaver.