Barnes 22 Chichester 8 - Match Report by Roger Gould

Chichester competed hard against high flying Barnes but finally went down fighting by 3 tries, 2 conversions and a penalty to a try and a penalty. The score-line was a little flattering to the hosts as Blues actually won the second half 5-3 but Barnes had too big a lead at half time. In the space of13 minutes Chi had been undone by two driving mauls and a bad mistake which brought a 3-19 deficit after a good opening 15 minutes when they were on top. The Barnes defence was outstanding the whole game and their back line had some extra flair which always spelt danger. Chi went close to scoring a second try which might have given them a losing bonus but they just fell short. They can take heart from a spirited performance against very good opponents who are genuine promotion contenders and have now achieved seven consecutive wins and in their last four games conceded only two tries.

It was a pleasant afternoon and the pitch was in good condition. Chi welcomed back Ken Dowding and Jack Bentall. Robin Guest replaced Rory Tanner who was concussed in the last game at Tring. Kieran Mudd was at inside centre and Tom Polhill on the bench. They were soon into the Barnes 22 and working phases, the backs got moving and the home defence had to tackle solidly across the pitch. Chi opted for a penalty kick after 5 minutes and it was easily kicked by fly half Alex Marsh. They moved well again from a Tom Jackson intercept and a useful kick to the wing by Aaron Lowe. A good running line and crash ball between Marsh and Chris Johnson nearly succeeded and Phil Veltom carried strongly from breakdowns. Barnes backs stretched their legs and gave serious warning with a big break by their outside centre and Chi had to scramble to the rescue at the right corner. Barnes pressed from 10 metres out and won two penalties and lineouts before assembling their strong drive maul to go over with a flanker touching down. Converted by the full back on 20 minutes. Two minutes later a high kick should have been caught on the full but it was allowed to bounce and as luck would have it, the ball passed over the heads and was grabbed by the following up Barnes man who sprinted from just over half way to the try line. Tom Jackson managed a last ditch tackle but the offload found a supporting attacker to score the second try which was converted. Chi went briefly to the other end but were disrupted at the lineout and Barnes returned and scrum half Henry Anscombe had to clear with a fine touch kick.In the 33rd minute, hard-working Jack Bentall seemed harshly penalised for coming around the scrum to snaffle the ball after it seemed to be out. Two penalties put Barnes on the other side of the pitch where they mauled powerfully 20 metres with Chi unable to stop it. Try awarded , conversion missed, the game transformed and Chi 3-19 behind and having to play catch up. They set about it with a determined catch and run by full back Toby Golds .Jackson also showed his speed and a kick ahead which brought two 5 metre scrums. Chris Johnson battered at the defence but Barnes held firm, a second defensive line keeping him from scoring. Mudd kicked to the left corner and they forced out a defender trying to clear The ball was spun across but still no way through and Barnes cleared from a penalty at a ruck. Chi were going to do their best to close the gap but it was clear they needed to find more penetration and it was a big mountain to climb. Half time 3-19.

There was some even play for the next few minutes, Chi were passing the ball a lot in the backs but it tended to be lateral with no punching through the centre and the wingers having to operate in restricted space. Mudd was injured and replaced by Tom Polhill and Tom Belcher replaced Joe Shopland at hooker. Barnes chased a kick towards the line but Anscombe beat them to it. They attacked in the centre, Chi went offside and the full back slotted the penalty 3-22.Johnson continued to carry with great power but he was frustrated by the Barnes second defensive line which was their trump card. Both he and Bentall required support at their shoulders, but it was not happening. The lineouts were a mixture of right and wrong but Chi persevered and Golds was showing a good example with his covering and kicks. Guest tackled firmly and then with resurgence Chi were aggressive and won two turnovers. Out to the backs, touch kick, lineout won against the Barnes throw and Ben Polhill was at the back of the drive maul to score a deserved try. Conversion from wide out was short. Twenty minutes left and Marsh made a lovely break and a try looked likely but he was pulled down with 5 metres to go. A knock on stopped another attempt on the right wing but Barnes started to counter with more penalties to touch. Chi defended positively. Jackson, Johnson, Veltom and Marsh all handled in the next attack but another knock on ended it. Barnes roared back, probably wanting the bonus point try and a fast backs move gave them a 2 on 1 at the right corner. Golds read the intention perfectly and a great tackle knocked the winger into touch. There was a last run by the tireless Johnson before the whistle blew. Chi had given it a real go but Barnes were just too good.

Next week Chi play old rivals Gravesend at home, kick off 230p.m. They hope for big support.

Chi squad: Dowding Shopland Veltom Dickin Neil Johnson B.Polhill[capt].Bentall Anscombe Marsh Jackson Mudd Lowe Guest Golds Belcher Meachin T.Polhill.