Each member of the makeshift Chichester squad deserved congratulations after this last game of the season. They fought like tigers against the third place club who were highly motivated by the chance of a play off for promotion. Chi were in the lead at half time and continued to battle as Irish found an extra gear to clinch the win. However, as Barnes got a losing bonus at Westcliff, Irish were disappointed. The difference was 4 converted tries to 3 tries and 2 conversions. It was the first Irish win against the Blues after five losses against them in different leagues. They were probably shocked by the Chi performance which greatly pleased the travelling supporters. So Chi finished in seventh place after a mainly successful season and despite their injury problems.

It was a sunny day with a blustery wind blowing across an immaculate pitch. There was a festive spirit in the wonderful new clubhouse and Chi's former President Alan Bradford nearly brought the roof down with a speech containing his best joke. He missed his vocation as a stand-up comedian. Blues had young Will Norton at loose head prop making a good debut opposite the heavy and street wise Irish opponent, a baptism of fire and useful experience for the future. Alex Grace came in at blindside flanker, quality veteran Chris Wagstaff at scrum half, Robin Guest and Tom Jackson on the wings. Buccaneer Chris Johnson was welcomed back at No.8 and he and hooker Joe Shopland were to have outstanding games. Early play was fairly even although Chi were soon under pressure in the tight. Tom Belcher and Guest made ground along the touchline. Irish mauled strongly from the Chi 22 and with penalty and lineout they drove over, flanker Moore pressing down. A remarkable conversion with the kick turning left at the right upright due to the wind or fine judgement. Chi stopped an attack and went away from the 22 but were brought back for offside and incredibly Ben Polhill was sin binned. Shopland and Guest tackled firmly as Irish mauled again but Wagstaff came away with the ball. The referee ignored pleas from the Chi supporters to penalise the regular crooked feeds by the home scrum half. Pete Meachin stole a lineout and a penalty went to the right corner. Irish stole it and tried to pass swiftly across their backs on the 22 but the alert Ben Robson made a dramatic intercept. He said thank you and raced across under the posts. Conversion by Alex Marsh, 7-7 after 30 minutes. The Irish drop out went straight into touch and then Johnson broke through from the rear of the scrum, scattering tacklers and offloading to the supporting Ben Polhill to run 20 metres to the posts. Converted by Marsh, 7-14. An Irish pass went into touch and their obvious frustration boiled over, leading to a yellow card for their right winger and surprisingly one for the innocent Guest. Irish kept trying to breach with their powerful centres but they were knocked back by solid Chi defence. A fight resulted in mid field and Irish No.8, the over-robust McKinney was sent to the bin for foul play and was lucky to escape a straight red card. Just before the break Chi were getting on top with Meachin competing in the lineouts and Marsh kicking for territory. A poor Irish penalty to touch indicated their worries and a lecture at the break was required.

The Irish backs knocked on in the centre and a second thrust was stopped by Shopland. Perpetual- motion Johnson broke forward again and was a real thorn in the side of the green shirts. Irish were bottled on the wings so concentrated on the central channel. Leon Driscoll rescued a dangerous situation with a last tackle on their outside centre. Chi mauled well and arrived in the left corner but the lineout throw was crooked and Irish cleared. It was nip and tuck and Chi had a chance from a scrum but amazingly the referee detected a crooked feed. The Irish got their act together at last and kept the ball with Chi tiring from all the tackles they had made. Inter-passing between forwards and backs gave the right winger space to cut inside and score after 20 minutes. Conversion, 14-14. Two penalties brought Irish pressure and their backs passed quickly to find a gap and lock Pape crashed over. Conversion, 21-14 to Irish. Heroically, Chi responded to the setback, won a turnover and from a penalty, lineout and controlled short maul a clever dummy sent Johnson over for their third try. Conversion pulled short and wide. Chi were certainly not surrendering. Shopland made a huge break for 25 metres but no one could keep up with him and a penalty was conceded. Irish were determined to get the fourth try and bonus. They did it from a scrum with some good handling by the backs which full back Turner finished off near the posts. Converted, 28-14. Chi kept trying and Johnson, Marsh and Kieran Mudd made gallant attempts. Irish held firm and were back on the attack as the final whistle blew to end a very competitive contest which had been unexpected. 28-19 to the Geese, as they like to be known.

A happy coach load of players and supporters journeyed back to Chichester and morale had been restored by the performance on the pitch. It is a sobering thought that very good teams Amersham & Chiltern and Tring have been relegated from this demanding league which will now be joined by Wimbledon, Colchester and either Chobham or Eton Manor, all tough teams. Chi say a sad goodbye to Joe Shopland, a fine young player who is emigrating to his favourite country Australia. It was fitting that he was joined by his father Nick in the front row during the second half of this last game.

A mostly successful first season in National 3 and as good as could have been expected. We look forward to September.

Chi squad: Norton, J.Shopland, Belcher, Lindsay, Meachin, Grace, B.Polhill, Johnson, Wagstaff, Marsh, Jackson, T.Polhill, Robson, Guest, Adams, N.Shopland, Mudd, Driscoll

Match Report by Roger Gould