Chichester 27 Chobham 8 - Match Report by Roger Gould

Another excellent bonus point win for the Blues against very good opponents.They gave the Surrey team their biggest defeat for a long time and it was adequate revenge for Chobham doing the same to Chi in the away match. Lessons had been learnt and Chi restricted Chobham’s lineout supply to their fast back line, and a combination of drift defence and good tackling when necessary frustrated the visitors. It was only 12-8 at half time but then Chi took control and scored 3 well worked tries without reply. Final tally was 5 tries and a conversion to a try and a penalty. Blues are 2 points ahead at the top but Gravesend have a game in hand, while Chobham may think they are out of the promotion race after being contenders until recently.

Both squads looked strong on paper and Chobham kicked off with unusual bright sun in their eyes and on a reasonable pitch surface. Chi went ahead after just 3 minutes with a drive lineout on the right touch, hooker Tom Belcher getting his eleventh try. High kicks were favoured by both sides and there was competent catching and running back. Left winger Leon Driscoll used his footwork but ran into a brick wall, inside centre Jack Bentall made a hard tackle and full back Tim Cook marked a Cobham kick ahead and cleared to touch. The pace was fast and furious between the 22s, Chobham winning penalties and fly half Thomson slotted an easy one for 3 points. Chi put together attacking phases with good hands by backs and forwards before possession was lost in a tackle. In the lineouts Phil Dickin and Niall Goldie were well lifted to more than match their very tall opposite numbers and began to disrupt Cobham’s catches. The scrums were even but Chi’s back row was alert to any quick ball for Chobham at the ruck. A Chi maul was promising and outside centre Sam Renwick was sharp with a half break. Goldie, Driscoll, Phil Veltom and Bentall combined in a fine move but it was stopped due to a slightly forward pass. Chobham were dangerous with two swift attacks by the backs but the drift defence held them. They pressed again from a free kick and moved into the left corner. They were repelled when they tried short passes towards the centre but went back to the corner for loose head prop Kuwana to power over from close range. 5-8. Chi had a difficult 5 minutes and gave away penalties at the breakdown The burly Chobham No.8 had a go with a gallop up the right wing but Blues stood firm and reached Vulture’s Corner. A muscular drive and ruck failed with a player going over the top. But at just the right time Cook ran with the ball in front of his own posts and Tom Jackson took a pass. He promptly kicked very long down the right touch and the full back was in trouble. He was duly nailed, the forwards were quickly up, and a good ruck saw Moses Kasujja diving over for their second try. Converted by Henry Anscombe. Five minutes later it was half time and Chi were marginally ahead at 12-8 with the game evenly poised

Chi looked determined and attacked but Chobham cleared with a penalty to touch. Both sides knocked on in useful positions. Scrum half Jack Walker made good yards with a strong run and Bentall and Veltom carried before Chobham won the scrum against the head It was nip and tuck but Chi were winning more territory despite the penalty count against them. Blues seized lineout ball from a Chobham throw, Renwick made a break but Jackson’s kick ahead went too long. Veltom cut his head colliding with a team mate and left for hospital stitches. Chris Johnson was hitting hard as usual, now operating at hooker but seemed to be pinged for foot up, a rare thing. A high kick by Chi was knocked on by Chobham and the home backs with Bentall leading launched a smart attack with slick hands. A big drive by the forwards followed and replacement Latu was over and pressing down. 17-8 and Chi had finally cracked it. A superb move by the backs brought the bonus try. Anscombe gave a good pass to Renwick who cut inside but was heavily tackled almost at the right corner flag. As he was lifted in the air, he gave a remarkable reverse flip pass to Ed Durkin in support. The replacement scrum half crashed across for his first try of the season. Chobham continued to compete hard and pressed for another try. Only well marshalled defence and strong tackles kept them at bay and they were unable to penetrate. Anscombe cleared cooly and Chi went again to the other end with an impressive move ,Renwick again showing pace and swerve. Chobham were forced into errors and from a tap penalty they passed the ball into touch.Chi took full advantage and from Lineout and drive lock Jon Lindsay was unstoppable. This was Chi’s 78th try in 16 games. Final score at the end of an exciting duel,27-8.

Next week Blues hit the long road to Dover for a tough game against a team difficult to overcome on their own pitch. There will be room on the team coach for supporters who fancy a day out in East Kent. Kick off 2.15.

Chi squad: Turner Belcher Veltom Lindsay [capt.] Dickin Goldie Polhill Kasujja Walker Anscombe Driscoll Bentall Renwick Jackson Cook Johnson Latu Durkin.