Blues march on with trojan-like display

They dominated possession but made several mistakes using it. However, they scored six tries and four conversions to two converted tries and are six points ahead in the league table.

Trojans did their best but the Blues took over after the first 20 minutes and the forwards gave them no respite, commanding in the tight and winning most of the loose ball. But Chichester may want to review defensive lapses before they face the highly-rated Old Elthamians side in their next game.

Head coach Richard Isaac said: “There were some good elements but we have to learn we must play for the full 80 minutes.”

Director of rugby Paul Colley added: “These kind of games can be tricky and in seasons past we may well have slipped up – but the guys showed their focus to come through without really playing at our top level.

“Trojans are a feisty team but we will take the five points and build to our huge home game against Elthamians on Saturday week.”

The Blues were without Moses Kasujja, Jack Taggart moving to No8 and Martin O’Callaghan at lock forward.

Rob Lawrence and Phil Veltom returned to the front row.

Trojans had a stiff breeze behind them and started well, pushing Chichester back with long kicks to the right touch. Chichester defended without alarm and Scott Barlow announced himself with clean takes.

Tom Polhill went off with a tweaked hamstring and Toby Golds came on. A first backs move ended with Richard Deed, who was to turn in a man-of-the-match display, forced out and he also made a break but his pass was spilt. A Trojans drop kick went wide and Chichester advanced to attack the try line.

Ben Polhill went close and both Veltom and O’Callaghan held up. Trojans offended and from the scrum Barlow picked up and crossed for the first try, converted by Jamie Knowles.

Trojans replied after a poor Chichester clearance kick, the backs passing well in two phases to put fly-half Boyd on a swerving run to the posts past groping arms. Scrum-half Lynch added the extras.

Richard Adams decided it was his turn to show flair and he made a brilliant sidestepping gallop through the middle. The ball went behind in the offload and the supporting Stuart Pearham kicked on and won a race to touch down. Knowles converted to make it 14-7.

A break by Adams was carried on by Polhill and a drive by the pack ended with a knock on. Play ebbed and flowed, Deed stopping the Trojans winger and Ben Robson getting an accidental elbow to the head.

A rare attempt on the blindside was ruined by a bad pass and a series of scrums and mauls towards the line failed because of a knock-on.

Trojans made the first thrust along the right touch when Chichester were slow to close them down.

But Polhill was now giving his regular masterclass in ball winning and carrying, Barlow was bossing the lineout and Shopland, Lawrence and Veltom made life difficult for Trojans in the boiler room.

Billy Toone sent the ball out to the back line and with the benefit of the breeze, Knowles displayed his cultured left foot with accurate kicks. A penalty, corner lineout and catch and drive gave Lawrence a try.

Lawrence broke through with a 20m run but there was a knock-on from his pass. The backs swept across field but Robson was well tackled. The Blues had a scrum ten metres out and Taggart went round and over for the bonus-point try, Knowles converting.

In their one visit to the Chi 22, Trojans passed slickly, Chichester defenders went walkabout and Boyd weaved again to score a good try. Lynch added the extras for 26-14.

The Chichester pack applied intense pressure and moved cohesively to the red zone. Knowles threw out a long pass to Deed, who took it at pace to beat the defence and dive over wide out. With little time left it was one-way traffic. Strong scrums led to replacement No8 Phil Dickin dotting down. A final conversion by Knowles made it 38-14.

The vital game against Old Elthamians is on November 12 at Oaklands Park (2.30pm). All support is needed and welcome. This week Chichester seconds play at Bognor while the first XV take a rest.

CHICHESTER: Shopland, Lawrence, Veltom, Barlow, O’Callaghan, Goldie, B Polhill, Taggart, Toone, Knowles, Adams, T Polhill, Deed, Robson, Pearham, Gingell, Dickin, Golds.

ROGER GOULD