Beaten at Battersea, but Blues can relax
Battersea Ironsides 38 Chichester 17
Regional two south east
A severely depleted Chichester team made the journey to Earlsfield for a rescheduled match against Battersea Ironsides – having secured survival in this league in their previous game.
There were 8 changes to the team that beat Dartfordians at Oaklands Park. Josh Cameron, Luke Kemish, Joel Day, Joe Watts and Ben Polhill came into the pack with Lucas Hutton, Luca Fleming and Tom Hopkins joining the backs.
With no Chi replacements available there was understandable concern on the touchline.
Blues were immediately on the attack. After a couple of phases, Rhys Thompson chipped the ball over the Battersea defence for Tom Hopkins to chase. The bounce beat the Battersea full-back but fell kindly for Hopkins, who evaded a tackle and kept his feet on the pitch to score in the corner.
Battersea upped the tempo and spent 15 minutes in the Chichester half looking for an opening. Having been penalised on the try line,
their second visit to the red zone yielded a penalty.
Blues stopped the attack on the line but the ball was recycled out wide and they were unable stop a winger’s run through their defence to score, making it 5-5.
Shortly after, Chichester were down to 14 having lost a player to injury and on 24 minutes Battersea crossed the whitewash again.
In the last 15 minutes of the half Blues started to dominate play with their forwards. Just before halftime a Battersea infringement
provided Chichester with a lineout on 5m. Taken down by Luke Kemish, the pack mauled towards the line where they were stopped illegally and Battersea were shown a yellow card.
Chi got to line and after six pick and goes Josh Cameron was on hand to dive over. Conversion missed – 12-10 at half-time.
Battersea came out for the second half rejuvenated. After five minutes their winger took a pass and ran 70m, evading the Blues’ defence, to score under the posts and
it was converted.
The Battersea winger reprised his 70m run, this time scoring in the corner for 2410.
Battersea increased their lead further with another try under the posts from their quick winger, converted for 31-10.
Chichester’s response was immediate. From a lineout 25m out the pack mauled towards the opposition try line before being stopped two metres short. Harry Seaman was on hand with one of his trademark sniped moves to score. Converted by Charlie Norton, 31-17.
Chichester’s problems increased when another injury reduced them to 13 players for the last 20 minutes. They put up a spirited defence and enjoyed the advantage in the scrum. But Battersea got a sixth try late on. MOM was Josh Cameron.
It was creditable from Chichester and If replacements had been available Battersea would have had to work harder. But at least Chi have ended the season by securing level six rugby.