No Sun, No Fun

No report from King’s – note taking would have been all but impossible anyway – so below are the host’s recollections with King's additions in square brackets:-

Chichester welcomed KCS Old Boys to Oaklands Park on Saturday afternoon and with the match played in driving rain the Chichester faithful packed the Oaklands Pavilion balcony. Blues made 8 changes to the team that was comprehensively beaten by Camberley in the last game. Richard Ives, Joe Woods, Zac Conley and Ed Grinsted returned in the forwards with Cieran Johnston, Ben Robson, Tom Blewitt and Ash Goodwin, making his 1st XV debut, in the backs. [Stewart Goodwin was the referee].

Chichester kicked off down the slope and soon had KCS contained in the opposition half. On 3 minutes an infringement provided Blues with an opportunity to open the scoring but the penalty kick went wide. Shortly after, a knock on provided the much anticipated first scrum of the afternoon. After their torrid time against Camberley, Chichester were rock solid and were to dominate the scrum all afternoon. With 11 minutes on the clock the referee produced his yellow card and KCS were reduced to 14 players [for collapsing a maul]. Taking advantage of the extra man Blues forwards attacked the opposition 5 metre line and, after 6 pick and goes, it was Zac Conley who crossed the whitewash to score the first try. Conversion missed. 5 - 0. In appalling conditions both teams defended well but chances were few and far between. Finally, in the last minute of the first half, after relentless Blues’ pressure in the red zone, the referee awarded a penalty try.

Half time and 12 - 0. Perhaps Blues should have been further ahead but the Chichester supporters were confident that the second half would bring further tries.

However, it was KCS who were first on the scoreboard. Chichester failed to clear a ball in their in-goal area and after infringing, at the subsequent 5 metre scrum, KCS drove over the line close to the posts [Matt Young]. Converted [Ben Woollams]. 12 - 7 and 47 minutes on the clock. As the half progressed Blues domination in the scrum once again paid dividends. From 22 metres out they drove the opposition back into Vultures Corner, with Charlie Wallace controlling the ball at the back of the scrum. When progress was halted, Cieran Johnston spun the ball out to Rhys Thompson whose lofted cross field kick held up in the wind just beyond the try line for Tom Blewitt to pluck out of the sky and dot down. Conversion missed. 17 - 7. 3 minutes later the visitor’s backs breached the Chichester defence to reduce the deficit. Conversion missed. 17 - 12. [A slight discrepancy here as the try was scored by prop Benoit Israel after a break from lock Sam Young – both pretty athletic, but backs they are not!]

On 66 minutes Blues put the game out of reach with a fourth try. After good work from the forwards, advancing the ball towards the try line, a ruck on the 5 metre line provided Johnston with the opportunity to dart across the line and touch down. Conversion missed. 22 - 12. In the final 10 minutes, with the wind making kicking impossible, Chichester’s forwards slowed down the ball going through the phases and frustrating KCS. The referee produced the yellow card on 78 minutes and the visitors finished the game a man short.

Full time and 22 - 12. Blues achieved this result with hard work and cohesion. They were in control for most of the match, their bonus point win was well deserved and lifts them to second place in London 1 South. KCS were occasionally dangerous and took their two try chances efficiently after short range pressure in the second half.

Without a nomination King’s gave their MOM to Matt Young who performed heroics at the back of the scrum handling a buttered ball and managed a grab try for good measure.

Thanks to Chichester for hosting (and the loan of this report) – we shall look forward to welcoming you to Motspur Park in January for what will hopefully be colder but drier encounter.