1st XV
Matches
Sat 09 Mar 2013  ·  London 1 South
Wimbledon
23
24
Chichester Rugby Football Club
1st XV
Wimbledon 23 - Chichester 24 - Match Report by Roger Gould

Wimbledon 23 - Chichester 24 - Match Report by Roger Gould

Lindsey Plant17 Mar 2013 - 20:04
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There was great delight and relief when the Blues clinched victory and a bonus point with a try in the last 5 minutes after a thrilling game.

There was great delight and relief when the Blues clinched victory and a bonus point with a try in the last 5 minutes after a thrilling game. They had made another stirring comeback, similar to the one at Sidcup, after being 5-17 down after 30 minutes and 12-20 at half time. Dons are a well drilled team in fourth place in the league and were the better team for an hour, working the phases and keeping most of the possession. Their fly half Hallett kicked 5 from 5 and Chi could have lost due to penalties. But they showed total commitment after the break and their driving forwards set up the grandstand finish. It was their seventh double and kept them 2 points ahead of Basingstoke who gained maximum points at Beckenham.

It was a cloudy afternoon in Surrey but the pitch was in reasonable condition despite previous rain. Chi were without Andy Gray, Niall Goldie and Tom Crawford. Dane Gingell came in at hooker, Phil Dickin at lock and Chris Johnson at flanker. Dons quickly showed their intention with a driving maul and the ball spun across with crisp short passes. Chi went offside and the home side slotted the 3 points. Johnson had a touchline run but was forced out and full back Tim Cook made a safe catch and mark from a Dons high kick. A Chi penalty failed to find touch and Dons mauled forward through the middle. Hallett delivered a perfectly weighted chip into a gap which was gathered by centre Moore. He beat a tackle too easily and scored near the posts. Converted,0-10. Chi advanced to Dons 22 and a promising backs move was ended with Tom Jackson tackled out. They went closer and a lineout and well controlled drive put Gingell over to touch down. 5-10. Charlie Laflin tackled firmly to interrupt a Dons thrust on the left wing, Chi spun it again and Jackson made ground before forced out. He held onto the ball at the touchline and was penalised, Dons then moving to the 22 and winning a scrum against the head. Their forwards mauled again and phases earned the space for Fulljames to evade a last tackle and score under the posts. Converted, 5-17. Chi had to respond and Phil Veltom carried strongly to the 22. Sam Renwick hit the line at pace from deep and and was nearly over before grounded. Rucks were won and Richard Adams finally danced around some groping tackles to score near the right post. Converted 12-17. Dons' ball retention and pick and go were impressive and they were winning all their own lineout ball with throws towards the back. They pressed but Chi defended stoutly to prevent what could have been a decisive try. They did infringe and a penalty was landed from almost 40 metres. Half time 12-20. The Blues received stern counselling and knew the next 40 minutes were 'make or break'.

A rather harsh penalty aginst them for offside gave Dons possession and they kicked a penalty when a player went off his feet at a ruck in front of the posts. 12-23. Play was equal for 15 minutes and Chi steadily increased their intensity. They made adjustments at the lineout and began to dominate in the air. The pack mauled strongly and 3 penalties were conceded by Dons as they tried to stop lineout drives to the line. A prop was sin binned but Chi supporters thought a penalty try was justified. Finally Gingell crashed over again with assistance from No.8 Moses Kasujja. Adams converted,19-23. This was the signal for Chi to put Dons under the cosh. The back row was now on the front foot, inside centre Jack Bentall was getting passes to punch holes, and Billy Toone jinked to 10 metres out. Adams was forced out, Ben Polhill charged from a lineout and Cook was held in the tackle. Nick Blount climbed to steal another lineout as Chi went for the jugular. The backs switched the ball both ways but with Dons defending desperately it all looked in vain until the giant Blount broke out from a drive. As he was tackled a metre out he gave a brilliant offload reverse flick to Laflin who caught it head high, twisted in the air and thumped the ball down near the left flag. {Blount is now a.k.a. Sonny Bill Williams]. Chi held the fort as Dons made their last incursion and when their move broke down, Chi hacked downfield and the whistle blew for full time. Chi fans stopped biting their nails and went rather breathless to the clubhouse. Our thanks to Wimbledon for a memorable and sporting contest.

Chi squad: Woods Gingell Veltom Blount Dickin Johnson Polhill Kasujja[capt]. Toone Adams Laflin Bentall Renwick Jackson Cook Shopland Giddings Golds.

A rest next week, then Chi play the semi-professionals from East Grinstead at home on the 23rd. There will be a very large crowd as the 100% winners will arrive as overwhelming favourites hammering most sides at this level the added spice for EGs if as they expect they get the victory they will claim the title . So 1st v 2nd and everything to play for all support welcome for Chi who will aim to give them a hard but sporting game. Kick off 3p.m. Please get to our bar early!

Match details

Match date

Sat 09 Mar 2013

Kickoff

15:00

Competition

London 1 South
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