A first visit for Chichester to rural Bucks and another nail biting finish to a close and hard fought game. They came away with their 4th success from 5 away matches, the winning drop goal scored in the last 5 minutes. They had found it difficult despite having much more of possession and territory. They were checked by consistent firm tackling and made many mistakes, but they stuck to the task and finally emerged with the 4 league points. So Chi are in 5th position and have done better than expected so far but any advancement will demand specific improvements and the squad is well aware.

The pitch was soft after the rain and it was a gloomy afternoon with heavy cloud cover. The Blues welcomed new recruit Ken Dowding at loose head prop and Tom Polhill had his first start at inside centre. Danny Gray was at fly half with Richey Adams moving to full back. Ed Durkin replaced the injured Billy Toone at scrum half and Jack Bentall returned to No.8 with Aaron Davies switching to lock. The hosts were anxious to cease a six match losing run following a good start to the season and a keen challenge was anticipated. Chi kicked off and began a lengthy period of pressure. Tom Jackson and Chris Johnson were brought down in full flight and 2 penalties failed, one just short, the other drifting wide. An attack to the left was promising with a slick offload by Nick Blount and a run by Aaron Lowe which brought a third penalty award, also missed. A Durkin thrust was stopped dead and almost predictably Chi failed to deal with a fast counter attack along the left wing. Chiltern exploited space and two attackers combined well to beat poor tackles and a try was scored at the corner. They also kicked a penalty against the run of play to lead 8-0. Ben Polhill and Bentall ran strongly and Johnson showed his power on the charge but two penalties were conceded to ruin hard work. Hooker Joe Shopland made a superb break and gave a good pass to Bentall who was nailed by a solid last ditch tackle. Chiltern were under the cosh but Chi lacked the control to make it count. At last they cracked it when the backs moved the ball right and from a ruck Durkin sent the ball out to winger Tom Jackson to sprint over from 15 metres, beating a tackle. Just before the break Chiltern won a penalty to touch followed by a clean take at the lineout. Their fly half kicked high and accurately to the right winger and a scrambling Chi defence was unable to prevent another corner try. A very surprising 13-5 margin for Chiltern but they had taken their two chances.

Blues benefitted from their half time lecture and immediately prop Tom Belcher broke through at pace. He was stopped but a penalty was won at the ruck 2 metres out. Davies took a very quick tap penalty and dived across, too big to be denied. Converted by Gray, Chi a point behind at 12-13.They continued their attacks with the forwards now on top in scrums and rucks but Chiltern resisting the driving mauls with a well organised and impressive defence. Sam Renwick raced through in the centre and nearly made it but a backs move ended with a knock on. It didn't help matters when the scrum began to be penalised and territory lost. Gray attempted an ambitious 45 metre penalty which fell 5 metres short. However they pushed the Chiltern scrum back and won a penalty which Gray landed. Chi finally with nose in front at 15-13.But there was the constant threat of a counter with the Chiltern fly half having good vision to spot vacant space. Another setback when Johnson drove hard but was unlucky to be penalised at the breakdown. The Chiltern full back kicked a great penalty from the touchline, Chi now 15-16 behind, the clock running down and it was getting dark in more ways than one. Adams was forced out on the left but Chi gained the ball from the lineout and the ball was moved to the middle for a maul with Gray standing in the pocket. His drop goal skimmed over the bar as several hearts missed a beat .18-15.With two minutes of injury time left Chiltern strove to get to the Chi 22 from two scrums but they failed, much to the relief of the Chi supporters. Chiltern deserved their losing bonus point for all their effort on the back foot and their sportsmanship as Chi left the field.

A rest next week, then on Dec. 6th they take on second placed Bury St.Edmunds at Oaklands Park, K.O. 2.15p.m. Chi will need to be on top form and all support would be very welcome. Come early and enjoy the pre-match chat and a drink.

Chi squad: Dowding Shopland Belcher Blount Davies B.Polhill[capt.] Johnson Bentall Durkin Gray Driscoll T.Polhill Lowe Jackson Adams Giddings Lindsay Renwick.