Millbrook 22 v 15 Chichester

The 2nd XV opened their league campaign in the Hampshire Premier against Millbrook.

After a late injury call in the 1st XV the team travelled to Southampton with only 2 replacements. Chichester veteran Steve Bradford played at scrum half, giving away 30 years to his opposite number. An injury in the front row, half way through the match, saw 2nd XV coach Pete Dallaway come on as a front row replacement.

Liam Rowland and McAuley Irish both scored tries and the game was nicely poised 12 -12. Blues gave away a penalty in front of the posts to put Millbrook in the lead, but with 10 minutes to go a reciprocal infringement allowed Jack Knight to slot 3 points and level the scores.

From the restart Millbrook were camped in Chichester half with Blues' well organised defence repelling attack after attack. In the last play of the game a cutting line by the opposition centre slipped a tackle and he crossed the whitewash to score. Converted.

Final score 22 - 15 and a losing bonus point for Chichester.

Pete Dallaway - "Great credit to the guys playing against a pack that carried a hell of a lot of weight against us and keeping it level and competitive throughout."

Next up for the 2nd XV are Bognor at Oaklands Park on Saturday, 25th of September. Kick off at 15:00.