Brilliant Blues see off relegation fears
Chichester 56 Dartfordians 22 Regional two south east
Chichester’s strongest squad played superbly and romped to victory in this vital game.
It gave Chi the five league points they needed to avoid the relegation threat. The visitors played well in the second half to earn a bonus point and a chance to also avoid the drop.
Chi were soon into their stride and surged forward. Thompson and Woods made breaks and the forwards rucked from 10m out, followed by a drive with flanker Makesi scoring right of the posts. Norton kicked the first of his conversions – he was to nail all consecutive 8 in this contest, which may be a club record.
Darts got to Chi’s 22 but a pass went astray and from lineout possession, Chi’s recent scrum half recruit Josef Amin showed his speed and a long and accurate pass to give a great platform to the back line. Makesi joined and offloaded to Margarson to dot down.14-0.
A Thompson half break and a switch pass found the charging No8 Whitehouse. He was tap tackled just short
but offloaded to Mclagan to score the third try, 21-0.
Darts tried to advance but the ball was dropped. Chi attacked again and Miller kicked ahead towards the left corner. From their lineout, they pressed from 5m and Darts conceded two penalties and a yellow card to deny them but finally Makasi plunged over, 28-0.
Conley was catching all the Blues lineout throws with excellent jumping. He put the backs away once more. Miller broke and sent left winger Mclagan on his way. He was
shoulder charged near the touchline but his hurried offload fell nicely to Miller who picked up and gleefully scored the fifth try, 35-0.
Darts handled securely in the backs and kicked to towards the right corner. A desperate Blues tackle was beaten and they scored their first try, not converted. HT 35-5
Chi leapt forward again with another recent and very exciting recruit, Joe Knight, galloping 30m, followed by a Thompson grubber kick.
After a penalty then a lineout
,the pack drove across with Ravaudet the scorer, 42-5. A scrum and maul gave the same man his second try, making good use of his weight, 49-5.
Darts showed great heart and determination to gain a losing bonus point. For 20 minutes their large and strong pack put Chi under the cosh and they camped 5m out. Chi received a yellow card and Darts bulldozed over for two more tries. Then, after more pressure on the the Blues’ defence, they gained their fourth try and a losing bonus point.
Chi had the last word with their eighth try.
They stole a lineout throw by Darts and the ball was transferred swiftly by the backs. Makasi joined in and made the half break for the ball to reach Miller who finished off at the right corner - 56-22.
It had been an amazing game which should be long remembered. If Chi could field their strongest squad away as well as at home, they could join the top group in the league.