Chichester gave their supporters an early Xmas present by gaining their 4th straight win and a bonus point. Other results meant they moved up to second place in the league, 4 points behind the leaders. However, just 7 points separate the top 6 teams and every game is vital in the chase. The Blues made a very bright start, lost their rhythm in the middle section, but pulled away in the second half with 3 well worked tries. Final tally 5 tries, a conversion and penalty to 2 converted tries and a penalty. Chi have only lost 4 times in 14 matches and it has been a great achievement so far in their first season at this level.

They were without the unavailable Ed Durkin, and also Phil Veltom due to a family bereavement. Henry Anscombe was at scrum half, Alex Marsh alongside him, Joe Woods at tight head, Toby Golds on the right wing and new second row recruit Rich Neil on the bench. It was a dry and bright day with a crowd swollen by those who had enjoyed the Mini and Juniors lunch. Chi were quick out of the blocks and scored in 4 minutes. From a lineout, the ball flashed across left with Richard Adams joining the line and the final pass taken and finished off by Tom Jackson at the corner. A great conversion by Anscombe from the touchline. The home side showed early signs that they were superior in the tight but CS had some eager young backs and Golds had to make a big tackle to stop their left winger. As usual, Ben Polhill snaffled a loose ball at the CS ruck for Adams to send a huge touch kick. Driving lineout followed, CS offside near the posts and Anscombe slotted the penalty. 10-0. Sadly a Marsh attempted clearance kick was charged down two minutes later, and a couple of passes sent CS flanker Clarke over with conversion by fly half Killeen. Chi won a scrum against the head, Chris Johnson drove on and won a penalty which was missed from 35 metres. Chi shoved CS off their scrum ball, CS dropped it and Anscombe was quickly round to seize and score near the right corner. Conversion missed from the touchline. Blues were passing and handling well but met good cover tackles and in defence Jack Bentall and Woods put men down firmly. CS had the best of the last 5 minutes with their first driving maul ,a lineout and scrum exerting pressure before Marsh finally cleared his lines. At the break it was !5-7. Head Coach Rob Lawrence told them that they needed to increase their intensity to guarantee the points and they responded.

However, first blood to CS with a break out by their backs, a ruck and maul gaining a penalty kicked by Killeeen. Chi built attacks but were penalised at the breakdown and also for a crooked feeding at the scrum [see comment later].Top gear was now engaged and attacking waves began. Another charge by Johnson, CS in trouble at their scrum and Anscombe took a quick tap penalty for the pack to drive Ken Dowding over for his first try for the club.20-10. Aaron Lowe, Joe Shopland and the dynamic Bentall were prominent as Chi turned the screw. A Bentall raid along the right touch gave Golds a chance and he made sure at the corner for the bonus point try. CS were not giving up and Chi had to work hard to stem another maul. Chi were looking for more and impressive sweeping moves with fast delivery by Anscombe and Marsh stirred the festive crowd. The ball was spun out left at a pace which beat the cover for the tall and long striding Lowe to create a 2 on 1 with Adams steaming up on his port side, The unselfish pass was perfect and Adams dived across stylishly. 30-10. Perhaps an excusable relaxation allowed CS to score from their drop out when a fumble gave them driving a lineout and maul working towards the posts and a consolation try for hooker Forrester, converted easily by Killeen. Final score 30-17.

For the first time this game had a Referee with 2 Assistants. The excellent man in charge was also being assessed. A remarkable statistic was that he penalised Chi's scrum half 3 times for crooked feeds. It could be that as Chi's front row had the nudge over their opponents consistently, the problem was caused by forward movement rather than deliberate offence when Chi were in attacking mode. Another highly unusual feature was CS failure with 4 drop out kicks which either failed to go 10 metres or went straight out to touch. Perhaps it had something to do with their pantomime season at home in Chiswick!

Chi take the early fight to Guernsey on January 3rd for what will be a very demanding game against the Islanders who will be desperate to get away from the relegation zone. They gained a losing bonus this week at East Grinstead, 16-23,which sounds like a good performance. Some Blues fans will be making the trip and hope for a happy week-end.

Chi squad: Dowding Shopland Woods Davies Lindsay B.Polhill[capt] Johnson Bentall Anscombe Marsh Jackson T.Polhill Lowe Golds Adams Belcher Neil Seaman.