First Derby Win

Chichester Win the first Sussex Derby of the season.

Chichester 41 Hove 18.
As expected, this was a robust contest between fierce Sussex rivals. Hove scrummaged better and had impressive backs but were finally beaten in ruck, maul and lineout. Chi scored 6 tries,4 conversions and a penalty to 2 tries,a conversion and 2 penalties.So an eighth win for the Blues and they keep their 5 point lead at the top.They have scored 310 points on the pitch, including 45 tries. They were without key men Rob Lawrence and Phil Veltom in the pack, Mark Giddings and Dane Gingell replacing them. Richard Adams was welcomed back on the left wing.
The home team had a couple of free kicks and scrums to take them within range but knocked on. A spilt pass gave Hove possession and a penalty to the corner Chi stopped them as they passed out the centre but were penalised for holding on. Fly half Robertson slotted 3 points. Chi attacked with Billy Toone jinking past tackles and the pack driving. Hove went offside and Stuart Pearham's kick levelled the score. A penalty to Hove at the scrum put them ahead again through Robertson. A second wonderful sidestepping run by scrum half Toone gained 40 metres, followed by a penalty kick into the right corner. The driving maul from the lineout overwhelmed defenders and Scott Barlow smacked down for the first try. The second came quickly when Blues ran with clever interpassing and Jamie Knowles received the ball. The fly half went like a knife through butter from 25 metres to dot down near the posts. Pearham converted. Hove replied after the drop out was knocked on. They won their scrum and shipped the ball across with good hands to young right winger Bull. He showed great pace and aided by invisible tackles by Chi, sped along the touchline and round behind the posts. Robertson's conversion made it 15-13.Chi tried another maul but a scrum was given to Hove and the danger cleared. A Hove backs move brought a high kick towards the try line which Toby Golds caught and marked bravely, clearing with a long touch kick. The Chi pack drove hard and penalty, lineout and unstoppable maul gave Gingell a classic front row try. Conversion by Pearham,22-13 at half time. The Blue's strengths were obvious at this stage and Toone, Barlow and the back row of Niall Goldie, Ben Polhill and Moses Kasujja were turning the screw. However, Hove's back line was dangerous and Chi needed to deny them possession. This was to be achieved.
Hove advanced but Pearham cleared the lines. A high kick by Knowles caused problems and a resulting penalty went to Vulture's corner for Barlow to catch and power over, for the bonus point try, Hove trying everything but in vain to stop the Blue tidal wave. Difficult conversion narrowly missed.27-13.Hove responded and applied pressure to the left with scrums and lineout Chi defended strongly but then Hove went the other way and a try looked on the cards until they knocked on. Kasujja and Jack Taggart came away with the ball and after Tom Polhill had put in a firm tackle, Toone, Ben Polhill and Golds swept to the other end. Chi brought on replacements but raids were ended by firstly a turnover and then a scrum taken by Hove against the head. Success arrived when swift passing between Kasujja, Shopland ,Gingell and Knowles gave the burly Tom Polhill the chance to penetrate and dive across. Conversion by Knowles.The sixth try resulted from an exchange of passes between Knowles and Kasujja which the big no.8 finished off after brushing aside a desperate last tackle. Knowles added the extras. This was a rampant period for the Blues and Nick Shopland won applause as he sidestepped and ran a good 10 metres. The Shopland 'shimmy' will be legendary! Hove were not down and out, pushing Chi back in scrums in the last few minutes and showing their fitness. They gained a deserved consolation try after pressure at the left corner. 41-18 the final score.
Paul Colley said later 'A typical derby,very physical. Despite our missing key players in the front row and the scrum under pressure, we still managed front foot ball and our backs changed their point of attack well,Tom Polhill having a particularly strong game. Hove's backs are fast but we contained their threat .A pleasing result.' Next week away to Trojans at Eastleigh. All support welcome.
Chi squad Gingell Giddings Shopland Barlow[capt].Taggart Goldie B.Polhill Kasujja Toone Knowles Adams T.Polhill Robson Golds Pearham Corrigan Dickin O'Callaghan.
MOM Tom & Ben Polhill

Roger Gould