Optimism remains despite Chichester’s latest loss

Alex Grace is wrestled to the floor in Chichester's clash with Shelford / Picture by Steve Robards

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Chichester were very unlucky to lose 13-12 to Shelford in their latest National three London south east game – a penalty with just a few minutes left sealing their fate.

They had dominated all the open play in the second half and their handling and tackling had been excellent.

It was also good to see them play as a well-motivated team, helping each other against opponents who are fifth in the league.

They deserved to win but a wrong option and one other mistake let them down. They scored two fine tries to one but the visitors knocked over two penalties.

Two young players, Shaun Shepherd at hooker and Rhys Thompson at inside centre, made impressive debuts and double try scorer Jack Maslen was the best attacker on the pitch.

Although the Blues remain in 11th place and face two more challenging games before Christmas, their performance gave grounds for some optimism.

Phil Dickin had joined the long-term injury list and was replaced by Aaron Davies. Mark Giddings and Ken Dowding were also injured. Kieran Richter was at loose head, Toby Golds at full-back and Tom Jackson made his first appearance of the season on the left wing.

A strong cross-field wind was blowing as Shelford kicked off. Chi caught and drove, a lineout catch by Davies and a useful run by Dean Bonds coming before he was tackled into touch.

Alex Grace took the next lineout catch, Harry Seaman fed Richard Adams, it went on to Thompson and Maslen stepped and handed off before diving over eight metres in from the left corner. Conversion wide.

It was a promising start but the visitors were soon showing their strength, shoving Chi back in the scrums and peeling around the blindside.

Chi’s lineout started to misfire because of longer throws than required in the very difficult wind and positioning of jumpers. Shelford tried mauling but Chi managed to stop it and then showed one of their own with Chris Johnson at the rear.