Havant take the spoils against Chi

On a beautiful sunny afternoon Hooks Lane was packed and bouncing as Havant started their league campaign against their closest league neighbours from just over the Sussex Border.

Havant had a number of changes in their side with Jake Reynolds starting at 10, Sean Shepherd getting his debut start at hooker and Mitch Goldring starting his first league game for over a year.

The bragging rights from last season were firmly owned by the men from Chichester and this added a little more edge to the afternoon's proceedings as Havant looked to get the win over one of only two teams that beat them home and away last year.

In the end Havant were just too good for Chi this time around. The visitors were committed and game but in terms of the quality of rugby it was clear after the first 10 minutes that this was Havant's game to lose.

Jake Reynolds, starting at 10 in the absence of Joel Knight, started the scoring with a well taken penalty. Chi had a chance to even things up but their kicker pushed it wide from in front of the posts.

The opening exchanges were all Havant with backs and forwards combining well and the defensive line snuffing out Chichester's attack. The first try came with 13 minutes on the clock. From a scrum on the visitors line Dan Munden picked up and brushed aside the Chichester scrum-half an offloaded to, scrum-half, Wes Dugan who crashed over. Jake Reynolds ensured maximum points with a cracking touch line conversion.

Chichester hit back with a try scored by their Skipper, Charlie Wallace. The visitor's backs opened up the right side of the pitch and Havant were guilty of jumping out of the defensive line to try and make the tackle, this left space on the wing which was taken well for the openside to canter over under the posts. The extras were added by the Chichester full-back.

This seemed to spark Havant and the second quarter proved to be decisive in the match. Armandus Morgan went over after patient build up work by the pack probing left and right on the Chichester line.

Immediately from the kick-off Havant piled on the pressure and were back camped on the Chi line. When the referee awarded the hosts a penalty. Wes Dugan reacted quickest and tapped and went over for his second score of the afternoon. Jake Reynolds again adding the conversion.

From the restart Chichester kicked the ball dead and opting for a scrum Havant played out a set piece move. Dan Munden broke and put Wes Dugan into space to link with Rory Penfold who found Scott Morris on the wing. The big winger pinned his ears back and bumped aside the last Chi defender to run in under the posts. Reynolds was again accurate with the boot.

As the half came to a close, inside centre, Joe Moore got his name on the score sheet showing great power and pace for a fine individual score. Harry Carr stepped his way through a gap he had no right to negotiate and linked up with, man of the match, Moore on the halfway. The centre battered his way through a couple of tackles before showing great pace to outstrip the cover defence for a score in the right corner.

Half time: Havant 34 Chichester 7.

Havant started the second half as they had finished the first. Joe Moore was again involved and made a great break before the ball was moved to Scott Morris who had too much pace and power for the visitors.

With the game and the bonus points in the bag Havant were guilty of losing their concentration a little as Chichester hit back with a score from their Rhys Thompson after a period of pressure on the Havant line.

Havant then had a long period defending their own line and the defence was solid for a full 15 minutes but after losing Dan Munden to a yellow card they finally succumbed a score from off a driven scrum.

Havant then sparked again and were pressing hard at the end of the game but there was no further score.

Havant Head Coach, Will Knight, was delighted with the first half performance,

"I think we were very clinical in the opening 41 minutes, playing some really good rugby. I thought our set piece went well and we were able to execute our patterns along with some excellent support and handling."

"The second quarter showed us at our best, we were patient and very precise - I though we looked dangerous every time we got the ball."

"The worst thing that could have happened to us was the score just after half-time because we really took our foot off the gas and that is something we will have to work on."

"But it doesn't detract from the performance and the result. The job was done by half-time and we have to be very pleased with getting the full five points against a quality outfit like Chi."