VIDEO: Drama at Chichester Rugby Club’s world-record attempt

Chichester Rugby Club wanted to kick-start the new rugby season and celebrate the upcoming Rugby World Cup by breaking the Guinness world record for the longest rugby pass.

They needed to pass one ball between 280 players to set a new record - and came within 20 passes of doing it.

The day began with Chi RFC teams warming up for the record attempt by runinng to the City Walls and back from the Oaklands park clubhouse, passing balls as they went.

The sun shone and many local people turned out to support them.

Then with the Observer filming and ITV’s Good Morning Britain presenter Sean Fletcher also in attendance, the record attempt began.

There were a few failures as different volunteers fumbled the ball - which ,let’s be honewst, could have happened to anyone as nerves set in.

Then it looked like the new record would be set - only for the ball to be dropped with the 260th catcher.

Club officials were disappointed, but pleased at the success of the day - and have vowed to give it another go some time in the future.

See the video, above, to watch the record attempt unfold and then fall.

See coverage from the City Walls pass and Longest Pass in the Observer, out on Thursday.

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