The blues travelled to Tonbridge Juddians knowing that their very good start to life in the National Leagues would be severely tested by a side that with very strong financial backing have become a force at this level. Chichester have played TJs on a regular basis over the last 10 years winning those early encounters but the more recent clashes proving much tougher with the firepower this kind of investment can bring propelling the red & whites up through the leagues.

Chi were forced to make a couple of changes with powerful lock Davies and flying winger Tanner both out with injuries. Sam Pitchford and Lewis Harte came in with big prop Joe Woods also returning.

The game kicked off in bright sunshine and only a light wind - Dickin soared to claim the first KO - the first ten minutes were all blues with excellent movement and control. With a rock solid lineout and scrum the blues applied the pressure. An excellent series of drives highlighted this control as the away side turned the screw; Pitchfork eventually powering over to open up the scoring - conversion missed 5-0 Chi. The home side rallied and forced a penalty with Driscoll isolated holding on. 5-3. The blues were looking good in the scrum with Joe Woods giving both the early loose heads a tough time forcing a penalty Gray slotted the extras. 8-3. Chi were playing some excellent rugby, skipper Ben Polhill snaffled a turnover , good hands from Belcher and then Dickin saw hooker Shopland hit a great supporting line to charge over for the blues second try which Gray converted 15-3 and twenty gone.

The blues were then disrupted somewhat with fly half Gray leaving the field with a bad blood injury, The red and whites sensed their chance and in quick succession forced two kickable penalties to close out the half 15-9.Gray showing a tougher side to his usual sublime skill set had returned to the fray highlighting his bravery with a couple of thumping tackles as the big TJs forward looked to go down the 10 channel. HT 15-9

The blues started the second half with an increase in tempo which immediately brought its reward with another pen 18-9.As with the first half TJs came back strongly with their very tall lineout jumpers winning their own ball and their kiwi 6 putting in some big hits, although the blues continued to pressure the reds scrum ball they were somewhat unlucky not to win a few more penalties. Now the reds upped the intensity releasing their quick right wing - Lewis Harte showed excellent defensive pace to put in some great chase back tackles. Chi now really had to dig in as TJs threw everything at the away side. Bentall and Gillings now on in the back row led a superb defensive rear guard action backed up by hooker Shopland who had a fantastic all-round game but his tackle count was outstanding. For all the blues excellent forward play a silky movement in the backs the game was in the balance but the blues hung in grimly and eventually the quality of Bentall came to the fore as he crucially robbed in the tackle and the blues were able to release the pressure. TJs kept coming with their 13 looking very dangerous and their big forwards firing into life - the pressure told with a poor clearing kick being charged down for a TJs score 21-14.Chi really dug in and started to move the ball at pace with Adams counter attacking well from fullback and big Chris Johnson starting to win the collisions at the contact area they gradually forced the reds back and won a series of penalties. Gray showed his class slotting all of the extras to push out the blues to a strong 24-14.

The blues had showed some excellent composure to lift their work rate led by inspirational skipper Polhill and met the onslaught head on - this heart and determination was great to see. TJs never gave up and looked to force the pace and intensity but try as the might they could not get any further traction in the game. The reds became frustrated particularly the home hooker who let things get out of hand with a knee to the head of Polhill on the floor bringing a straight red card. The final whistle came and Chi had got over the line over against very dangerous opponents.

Rob Lawrence – `not the best performance of the season but actually Paul and I are very pleased with the tenacity and mental toughness to win on the road against very strong opponents `

Next week sees the top of the table clash as early front runners Westcombe Park visit Oakland’s park 1500 KO - 1v 2 and both sides unbeaten it should be a cracking encounter. Please get down to support the blue and blue.

Team: 1 Belcher 2 Shopland 3 Woods 4 Dickin 5 Blount 6 Pitchford 7.Polhill-capt 8 Johnson 9 Anscombe 10 Gray 11 Harte 12 Renwick 13 Lowe 14 Driscoll 15 Adams 16 Velsaco 17 Gillings 18 Bentall