Chi storm through to Sussex Bowl Final

Fielding 22 players all of whom are consistant 2nd team players or players coming back from injury is a big ask for any team, however Chi did it this weekend in their convincing win over Hove 2's.

Chi got off to their normal fast pace and a try after 4mins from veteran 9 Richard Johnson started the scoring. Johnson is now on 10 for the season after grabbing a try later on also (that to come). The conversion was nicely struck by Will Mitchell who seemed to have picked his kicking boots this week, not his miss-kicks-in-front-of-the-posts boots.

This however did not really kick start Chi and Hove worked good phases, kept the ball and used a powerful scrummage to get a grip on the game. They scored a penalty, and a converted try in the next 10mins and Chi all of a sudden realised they were in a game.

This was to end Hove's scoring, however that was not to say at the end of the first half there were a few slightly worried faces walking into the huddle and it was important it got sorted.

Tom Jackson scored a nice 60m run in after some slick lineout and handling skills put him on the outside of his opposite number, Jackson used exceptional pace to go past the 13, winger and full back to score an outstandiing team try. The coversion was successful as well as a penalty 3 mins later. This was the last score of the half and Chi went in 17-10 up, some may say against the run of play.

The chat at half time involved a strong look at the scrum, as well as soome individual defence points, other than that it was more of the same as Hove had put up a strong fight and Chi hadn't deserved to be any more ahead.

What can only be described as a new team came out 2nd half and 6 tries, 3 conversions and hard fought defence meant no further score for Hove. The every present, ever outstanding Liam Geoghagan scoed a try on 45mins which was again converted by Mitchell.

For me this is where the huge description of the game will go, I openly admit I was more interested in sorting out the game and making subs than writing down stats. I do know though that the introduction of Luke Davies sured up the scrummaging, as well as the return for Martin O'Callaghan and Liam O'Hagan added an edge that Chichester lacked.

Further scores by Nathan Bond (56), Rich Johnson (65), Liam Ferguson (71), Rudi Upton (75) and a run in for Sheridon Mead on 80 destroyed a team that by the end looked like they had nothing left. Mitchell added 2 more conversions and Hove were beaten.

Chi's lineout was super with intelligent calls, the backs ran at spaces, and the Aussie contingent of Josh Zonks (cant spell your last name) and Liam Ferguson carried the ball over the gain line again and again. The lads can be very proud of themselves. However we cannot rest on that, there is till 3 league games to win and a cup final! Keep training, keep working hard and the rewards will come.

The Final is being played at Chichester RFC on the 3rd April (sunday) at 12.00pm, and I encourage all those involved in the club to come and watch. Thank you to those who turned up and supported us this week.