Youth rugby: Chichester win their Battle of Hastings

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Chichester B travelled to Hastings on Remembrance Sunday and won an important league game.

Both teams showed perfect respect for the two minutes’ silence before kick-off.

Chichester had the best of the forward play with Myers and Innes making an immediate impact, winning possession and putting Hastings on the back foot.

Chichester stand-off Johnson dictated play behind a strong pack gaining good field positions through decisive tactical kicking. The backs were resolute in their tackling with Reading and Rice preventing Hastings attacking.

Chichester had the better of the first period but were unable to break through some stout Hastings defence.

As the second half progressed, the heavier Hastings pack started to dominate the set scrums. However, Chichester remained resolute in defence and strong runs from Furness, Sprackling and Mayo-Reid kept the majority of the play in the Hastings half.

The first breakthrough came from Hastings, who scored an unconverted try following a break in the centre.

Chichester’s response to going behind was colossal with an immediate succession of attacks. Rahman was brought on, making a series of breaks on the wing that kept the pressure on the Hastings line. The home side defended with increasing desperation.

With the game entering its final minute Chichester attacked again, working the ball to Stanley who simply would not be stopped, breaking two tackles and twisting over the line to score.

With the points level and no time to restart, Johnson coolly slotted the winning conversion.

CHICHESTER: Eggleton, Innes, Myers, Furness, Sprackling, Stockbridge, Baggott, Mayo-Reid, Blakely, Johnson, Reading, Clink, Rice, Jackson, Stanley, Aylmore, Bulpett, Elliott, Rahman, Chesney.

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Bognor 19 Midhurst 12

Bognor continued their winning streak at rainy Hampshire Avenue.

Strong pressure by the forwards immediately put Midhurst on the back foot and after seven minutes, prop Luke McClinton crossed the line for his first try of the season.

Bognor’s forwards dominated, allowing the backs plenty of ball, and they spent almost the entire first 25 minutes in the opposition’s half. However, Midhust’s defence remained strong preventing any further scores before the half-time whistle.

Midhurst started the second half well and quickly scored a converted try. Bognor fought back immediately with a try from flanker Adam Booker, converted by Ben Elliott, and a further try by centre Will Cullen was converted by Cameron Meyer.

In the closing minutes Midhurst replied with an unconverted try.

BOGNOR: Ward, Nightingill, McClinton, Dodd, Smart, Macari, Booker, Bidwell, Hetherington, Barclay, Elliott, Cullen, Hooton, Hall, Meyer, Sargeant, Cardiff, Heffernan, Keil, Jarvis

Crowborough 0 Chichester 12

Chichester notched a fine win in their second league game when they travelled to rain and mud-soaked Crowborough.

Conditions and the large Crowborough forwards made the first quarter very tough for Chichester, who broke out occasionally through the dynamic running of Almey.

Chichester grew in confidence with Constable coming close to scoring.

A surge by Goosen saw McNair knock the remaining tackler out the way to score a deserved try. Chichester’s forwards, led by Robey and Adlington, were taking control of the close quarter exchanges.

Crowborough’s ill-discipline led to a penalty which Grace took quickly and burst through to score. Hutchin converted.