Rugby: Chichester enjoy getting their teeth into Heath

They played dazzling rugby against struggling Heath and in the second half showed cohesion, speed and great handling skills.

Fly-half Richard Adams enjoyed lots of space and cashed in with 29 points. The final margin was 11 tries and seven conversions, the Blues earning maximum league points for the fifth consecutive game. They must maintain this momentum to fulfil their early promise.

Chi welcomed back experienced Phil Veltom and Billy Toone. Injured Andy Gray was replaced at hooker by Dane Gingell.

Jack Taggart moved to No8 and Ben Robson came in on the right wing for Tom Polhill.

They went for a first-minute try and a Jack Bentall break and pass to Sam Renwick was on course but the pass was deemed forward.

A quick tap penalty by Toone set up Adams to carve through and score under the posts plus his conversion inside six minutes.

Heath got into Chi’s 22, winning a penalty which drifted wide. Gingell was elbowed in the face but his retaliation meant ten minutes in the sin bin, multi-skilled captain Polhill moving to the coalface.

Heath missed another penalty which might have made a difference before Ross Fairbairn showed a clean pair of heels to opponents over 25 metres.

Tackles by Joe Woods and Warren Wright kept Heath penned. Chichester mauled and drove before the ball was released to Bentall to dive over.

Polhill ran strongly with Bentall in support and the ball went back to Adams who followed up to gather his own kick and juggle in the air as he crashed across. A conversion made it 19-0.

Five minutes of Blues pressure led to several offences to prevent the try and the referee awarded a penalty try, Adams adding the extras.

The Chi forwards were in total command and head coach Rob Lawrence called for any shackles to be thrown off.

Blues subs Martin O’Callaghan, Toby Golds and Sevi Seviua came on in the second period and were prominent.

Toone took a tap penalty and Gingell touched down. Adams raced over again, with a conversion. Veltom went on one of his thundering charges to the delight of his fan club and Polhill performed an operation on his own dislocated finger before tearing back into action.

Toone completed a hat-trick of tap penalties, this time opening a suitable gap for Renwick to gallop through and make it 43-0.

O’Callaghan broke through and a well-timed pass put big lock Aaron Davies on a 40m run along the left touchline before rounding behind the posts for a converted try.

Heath tried hard but they were outscrummed and their backs lacked direction and conviction.

A fine sweeping move started by Golds and carried on by Bentall sent Fairbairn hurtling to the line for the ninth try.

Heath joined in a midfield slog but one player lost his cool and was sinbinned for back chat.

Seviua added a try when a lineout catch by Davies came to him via Adams and Bentall. He was involved again as Chi broke out from their own half and he gave O’Callaghan a sweet pass for the lock to purr over like a Rolls Royce for the final points, Adams converting for the seventh time.

Although Heath had one period of pressure seeking a consolation try, Chi’s defence was secure and twice won a turnover.

It was a very encouraging performance, but this week at Oaklands Park they must beware of a dangerous Cobham team (2.30pm). All support is welcome.

CHICHESTER: Woods, Gingell, Veltom, Davies, Wright, Goldie, Polhill, Taggart, Toone, Adams, Robson, Bentall, Renwick, Fairbairn, Bond, O’Callaghan, Sevi, Golds.

ROGER GOULD