East Grinstead 20 - Chichester 21 - Match Report by Paddy McAlpine

The Chi RFC 2s overcame a much bigger pack away at East Grinstead last Saturday to secure themselves a place in the Sussex Bowl final, which they won last year. Bright, dry, and firm underfoot with only a light breeze to contend with, the 2s paraded a young, dynamic, fearless team with only a smattering of older, more seasoned Chi stalwarts amongst them. They demonstrated great fortitude under pressure, true grit and bravery in the tackle and breakdown areas to gain a well deserved victory with the last kick of the match, having been down to 14 men for the last 25 minutes. East Grinstead 2s known locally as ‘Storm’ loaded their front five with size, power and National League 3 experience and it showed as they enjoyed the majority of possession and field advantage in the first quarter. Although camped in their own 22 and under consistent attack from a heavyweight pack, the Chi 2s gave no ground; the tone for the afternoon was set early by Alex Grace who put in a number of massive hits on the gain line to knock back the marauding Storm. Courage and sound technique at the breakdown was required and this came from 2s’ Captain, Martin O’Callaghan, No8 Liam O’Hagan and Out-half Jimmy Taylor who turned the ball over brilliantly. Quick ball was recycled to the ever impressive Harry Shonk, the Chi Hooker, who carried the ball for more yards than anyone else and drove a wedge through the heart of the Storm defence that Taylor then exploited, fed the magnificently hirsute Toby Golds who beat 3 defenders to score. Full back Dean Morris converted and Chi took a 0 – 7 lead. Having imposed themselves through great defence and quick counter-attacks, sloppy defence then let Storm take advantage of a simple 3 v 2 overlap and score in the corner (from where the conversion was missed). Suitable chastened, the 2s stepped up the pace, with scrum half, Nathan Tucker controlling the pack and maintaining front foot momentum with a quick tap after Chi were awarded a rare penalty. Tucker broke through the Storm defence, offloaded to Shonk who linked with pacy, dynamic open side flanker Jack Lumbard who charged forward. Prop Dane Gingell read the play well, took the ball from Lumbard, drew a defender, passed in field back to Lumbard, who then feed the rampaging Gingell again who dashed over the line from at least 15 yards out to beat the scrambling Storm defence. This magnificent, very memorable try and another conversion took Chi into a 5 – 14 lead, which was quickly reduced by a well constructed rolling maul by East Grinstead to 10 -14 just before half time. The home side started better than the travelling Chi 2s and took the lead for the first time with a try just after the break. In the tense, committed, pressure cauldron atmosphere when it dawned on all involved that this match could go either way, the frustration of not seemingly getting any of the 50/50 breakdown refereeing decisions boiled over and saw Nick Shopland red carded and his antagonistic opponent yellow carded for a scuffle and a separate penalty giving the Storm a 20 – 14 lead and a one man advantage for the last 25 minutes of the game. The continued effort of a smaller, lighter pack started to wear down the Chi 2s and they started to suffer in the scrums. Changes were made and Rob Lawrence (an all to rare appearance by Chi RFC’s Head Coach) and Mallmbo Tinashe bought stability to the set piece and pace around the park respectively. Suddenly the Chi scrum held its ground again and the lineout started to have more success. A period of Chi possession, great quality continuity around the breakdown fringe and hard won yards sucked in the Storm defence and Taylor whipped a long ball out to Golds to score his second well taken try in the corner. Unfortunately Morris just missed the conversion and with 5 minutes to go, Chi were trailing by 1 pt. Sheer bloody minded determination, leadership and body shaking hits from O’Callagahan, O’Hagan and Lawrence got Chi back into the Storm red zone. Continued possession and a huge effort by all the forwards to retain possession and inch forward brought reward and the only penalty awarded against East Grinstead in the second half; Morris slotted the ensuing kick through the uprights, the last action of great game and delivered a much deserved win by the impressive Chi 2s. Final score 20-21. Chichester will play in the Sussex Bowl at Bognor RFC on Sunday 27 Apr. The opposition has not yet been determined. Kick off will be at 1200. Support would be most welcome.

Team: Gingell, Shonk, Shopland, Stride, O’Callaghan, Grace, Lumbard, O’Hagan, Tucker, Taylor, Golds, Robson, Reid, Jackson, Morris, Tinashe, Lawrence.

Chi Scores: – Tries: Golds (2), Gingell; Conversions Morris (2); Penalties Morris