Chichester were no match for Basingstoke, who employed a simple but very effective game plan. They carried incredibly strongly and put numbers into the break down to gain them quick ball. Its been a long time when Chi can say theyve been out played but it happened in this game!

With many injuries surrounding the team and unavailabilities it was the chance to get Smiler Comben back on to the 2s bench as well as Bradley Hughes who left the field against Bournemouth a few weeks back having split his eye lid.

It was a war of attrition to start off with but after stringing some phases together for the first time in the game the Spartans scored first out wide/ The phases led to a neat bit of handling involving prop Dane Gingell offloading to new captain Martin O'Callaghan who simply put the 13 Nathan Bond into the corner. 0-7 (28 mins).

From there the exact scoring patterns are a blur as notes were not taken. Chi put over 2 more penalties in between the 50th and 60th minutes. However they were to be the reason for their own downfall. Conceeding too many penalties were again the low point of the game, this gave Basingstoke the front foot ball they needed and the chances to use their driving maul. A contraversial try which couldve been called for crossing put them in the lead by 1 14-13, however the nail on the coffin was another chi penalty a drive to the corner and a series of phases passed wide left to their 7 who was moved to wing after 2 mins of the game to power his way over. Rightly for Basingstoke they won the game 19-13.

Chi Spartans need to take a hard look at themselves the next few weeks if this slump in the league is to be corrected. Tottonians at home next week 2.15pm start. I would encourage everyone to be there to give us the lift we need!