Fortunately for Bognor, other results went their way and they retain their slight advantage over London South Africa, who lost to Winchester – the next visitors to Hampshire Avenue this Saturday in a must-win game.

Though without injured Balchin and Toone, Bognor were still able to field a strong side.

It was even more disappointing, then, that Bognor began so slowly and dominated only the middle part of the game.

Several players, including the half-backs, so outstanding in recent weeks, chose this match to have an off-day and, lineouts apart, the
visitors failed to establish sustained control of any areas.

The Eagles began at a frenetic pace. They attacked from deep and kept the ball in play for several minutes, but Bognor scrambled back in defence and kept their line intact, the pressure eventually eased by a penalty.

A quick tap by Morgan resulted in an extra ten metres being gained and Bognor's first visit to the Eagles' 22. Bognor drove off the lineout and, when it was pulled down, the referee awarded a penalty. Parry put the ball wide from 30m.

The Eagles took early control at the scrum and Bognor were unable to set up a solid platform from which to release the backs.

The referee issued warnings to Bognor's front row about engaging too early, then sin-binned second-row Lee Thompson stating: "Someone had to go and he would do".

The home side capitalised on Thompson's absence and threw everything into attack. They drove off the back of a lineout 20m from Bognor's line and weak tackling enabled them to slice through and touch down under the posts.

Bognor hit back with a line-break from Stuart Pearce and a clever grubber from Morgan. After another break through the middle, Pearce passed to Matt Corrigan, who found Dan Brock, who was stopped ten metres short.

A break involving Dave Sweeney took Bognor to within five metres of the home line, the scoring pass being prevented only by an Eagles player deliberately knocking the ball on. The referee was unsighted.

Bognor were starting to build momentum and, when a home player was penalised for holding on in the tackle, Parry reduced the arrears with a 35m penalty.

The second half saw Armandus Morgan and Jonny Lang come on and the home eight were creaking and Bognor were rewarded with a penalty 20m from the posts. Parry hit the upright and the rebound was out of Pearce's grasp.

Bognor's pack were now also on top at the scrums, as highlighted by a heel against the head. Parry's woes continued as he uncharacteristically missed a third penalty.

The Eagles hooker was sin-binned for a stamp on an ankle.

Morgan took a quick tap-penalty and fed Paul Mitchell, who touched down near the touchline, giving Bognor a one-point lead.

But Bognor went to sleep and the home side took play deep into Bognor's half where indiscipline at the tackle area resulted in penalties to the Eagles. From one, the home side regained the lead.

Bognor tried to force the pace but when Sweeney attempted to run from deep, he conceded turnover ball. The Eagles' winger broke clear and sealed the win with a gift try.

Bognor need to raise their game on Saturday against Winchester.

BOGNOR: Sweeney, Brock, Castleton, Pearce, Gelder, Parry, C Morgan, Corrigan, P Mitchell, Heydon, Stickland, Thompson, O'Connor, Langridge, N Mitchell. Reps: A Morgan, Lang, Archer.

LEIGHTON THOMAS