Chichester make it 5 from 5

On Saturday, Chichester travelled to Basingstoke. Blues made 10 changes to the team that beat Andover the week before with Tom Belcher, Lucas Toft, Dan Heriot and Chris Johnson joining the forwards, Fin West, George Hicks and Gabriel Delderfield coming into the backs and Curtis Boxall, Martyn Cooke and James Scrivin -Wood on the bench.

With the remnants of Storm Austen battering southern England it was Chichester who kicked off, in appalling conditions, with the lashing rain at their backs. Blues made a solid start, pushing Basingstoke back towards the try line but were unable to capitalise on their possession as both teams struggled with the slippery ball. From a Chichester scrum 15 metres out, the ball was moved across the pitch but lost backwards in contact. Dan Heriot was quickest to react, recovering the ball and running in for a try under the posts. Converted by Hicks. 0 - 7 after 8 minutes. From the restart, Blues secured the ball and ran it back down the pitch before releasing Chris Johnson for a 30 metre solo effort, evading the scrambling Basingstoke defence, to score on his return to rugby, after retiring in 2020. Converted by Hicks. 0 - 14. After 15 minutes under the cosh, the hosts finally broke into Blues’ half and moved the ball across the pitch to create an overlap for a try out wide. Conversion missed. 5 - 14. Chichester upped the tempo once again pinning Basingstoke down, in their red zone. The combined effort of both forwards and backs moved the ball towards the try line and from a ruck, a couple of metres out, Huw Binfield dived over the whitewash to score. Converted by Hicks. 5 - 21 with 22 minutes played. Basingstoke reduced the deficit 7 minutes later when their veteran No. 8 muscled through Blues’ defence from 20 metres to score. 10 - 21. With their confidence boosted, Basingstoke took the fight to Chichester trying to punch a hole through the midfield, but the well organised defence held solid.

Half time and 10 - 21. However, there was concern amongst the Chichester supporters that the lead might not be sufficient against a resurgent opposition with the wind behind them!

With conditions deteriorating, it took Blues several minutes to slowly work their way back into the opposition half. Oscar de Lacy’s chip over the defence was knocked on and from a scrum on the 10 metre line the ball was moved across the field until it was spilt in contact. De Lacy was on hand to recover the ball and took off for the corner before off loading to Fin West who somehow managed to dot down before being taken into touch, for a bonus point try. Conversion missed. 10 - 26 after 48 minutes. The threat from Basingstoke never really materialised as Chichester moved the ball around the pitch, oblivious of the conditions, frustrating the opposition. Patience paid off, as Basingstoke infringed at the breakdown, 10 metres from the line. Blues opted for a tap penalty, the ball was carried into contact and, after 2 pick and goes, Tom Belcher crossed the whitewash in the melee to score. Conversion missed. 10 -31 with 56 minutes on the clock. Basingstoke upped the tempo and spent the next 18 minutes in the Chichester half as Blues absorbed the pressure and periodically moved the ball back towards the halfway line. Eventually, Basingstoke’s efforts were rewarded when a charge down fell fortuitously, deep inside the red zone, and their pack were on hand to force the ball over the whitewash. Conversion missed. 15 - 31 with 5 minutes left. There was relief, from players and spectators alike, when Gareth Davies kick the ball in to touch to end the game!

Full time and 15 - 31, with Blues securing 5 points, and their fifth win, to move top of Hampshire 1. This was a great team performance but special mentions are required for returnees Lucas Toft and Chris Johnson whose carrying was immense as well as Gareth Davies for his kicking out of hand, particularly in the second half. Hopefully, with the champagne rugby season now over, Chichester’ second half performance will define their aspirations for this season. Finally a mention for the referee who kept the game flowing, providing an entertaining spectacle for the hardy supporters in the stand.

Next week Chichester entertain bottom of the league Winchester.

Chichester squad: Lowndes, Belcher, Glass, Heriot, Toft, French, Binfield (capt.), Johnson, De Lacy, Davies, West, Hicks, Fleming, Delderfield, Etherington, Boxall, Cooke and Scrivin-Wood.