It was an early start for Chichester who travelled to the City of London, skirting protests and demonstrations, to play the newly promoted Honourable Artillery Company at their magnificent ground in the heart of the capital.

Blues made 6 changes to the side that beat Beckenham last time out. Chris Johnson returned in the pack, Sandy Wheatley and Sam Renwick came into the backs with Will Norton, Stewart Ellaby and debutant Cameron Mackenzie-Lawrie on the bench.

An unscheduled 30 minute downpour at the start of the match made playing conditions challenging.

Chichester kicked off towards Armoury House and in the first 5 minutes both teams had lineouts 10 metres from the try line but failed to secure the ball in the tricky conditions. With only 4 minutes on the clock Blues infringed at the breakdown and the HAC fly half stroked the ball through the posts from 30 metres out. 3 - 0. The next 17 minutes were played almost exclusively in the visitor’s half with Blues unable to advance up the pitch and HAC giving away a number of penalties. The Blues running game was being stifled by the extremely narrow pitch and the HAC tactic to kick over or through the defence was being countered by the speed of the Chichester defence. HAC increased the score with a second penalty kick for an infringement 25 metres out. 6 - 0. The game ebbed and flowed and finally the sun came out with Zac Conoly making ground on a rare Blues foray into the opposition half. From the ruck Sandy Wheatley passed to Sam Renwick who burst through a gap in the HAC defence to dot down inches from the corner flag. Conversion missed. 6 - 5 and 34 minutes played. On the stroke of half time an HAC interception was run in under the posts. Converted. 15 - 5.

Half time and Chichester still in the game.

Chichester came out the blocks and immediately had HAC under pressure. A clever grubber kick from Rhys Thompson was inches from being touched down by Matt McLagan and the referee called back McLagan, when he was clean through, for a Blue’s penalty. After 18 minutes of the second half, and with a man in the sin bin, HAC finally crossed into the Blue’s half. After some impressive defence 5 metres from their line Chichester conceded a penalty allowing HAC to increase the score with the boot. 16 - 5. Undaunted Chichester pinned HAC down in the home team’s red zone and threw the kitchen sink at them, but couldn’t find a way through. With the penalty count rising HAC were shown 2 further yellow cards in the final 10 minutes of the match and played the last 3 minutes with 13 men. With the clock on 80 minutes HAC conceded another penalty 5 metres from the try line. The ball was whipped out to Stewart Ellaby, beyond the depleted defence, for the young winger to touch down out wide. Conversion missed. 16 - 10.

Full time and a losing bonus point for Chichester who will be frustrated that their second half dominance wasn’t converted into points. Chichester drop to 8th place in London 1 South.

Supporter’s Man of the match was Ben Deavall.

Chichester squad: Deavall, Makesi, Woods, Spriggs, Conoly, B. Polhill, Wallace (Capt.), Johnson, Wheatley, Baker, McLagan, Thompson, Renwick, Trodd, Seaman, W. Norton, Ellaby and Mackenzie-Lawrie.

Next Saturday (26th of October) Chichester entertain Cobham at Oaklands Park. Kick-off is at 15:00.