Chichester take advantage of extra player

This was a crunch match for both teams and it was Chichester who came out on top. A good start from both teams with the visitors taking the ball on strongly but good defence from Darts. The first score came from a penalty for offside which was neatly converted by the excellent Chichester 10. 0-3. Both teams were competing well for the ball and after a couple of turn overs by both teams it was Luke Golding who intercepted a pass on half way and went in under the posts. Briggo converted 3-7. Chichester came back at Darts going through the phases using their big runners and earned a penalty when Mike Briggs under two Chichester players was harshly penalised for not rolling away. Not only a penalty but a yellow card and Darts were doubly hit when from the scrum Chichester used the extra man advantage really well to score. and convert. 7-10. Darts were getting penalised and another for not releasing the ball when on the attack saw Chichester increase their lead with a finely struck penalty from inside their own half. 7-13. Yet another penalty was slotted over to take the score to 7-16 and Darts not looking too happy with themselves. Darts inflicted more pain on themselves when the kick didn't go 10 and were again penalised after a strong scrum. This lead to another try being scored and converted to take the score to 7-23. A disastrous sin bin conceding 20 points.Darts were working hard and their best period of play saw them open up the Chichester defence and create and decent overlap but again a self inflicted mistake saw the 2 vs 1 pass intercepted on half way and another try conceded to take the half time score to 7-30 and a lot of work to do.

The second half started well for the home side who were now playing as they know they could fast strong running and quick clear outs moving the Chichester defence around, this play put great pressure on the visitors and eventually they received a yellow card. This spurred Darts on and consistent further strong play pushed the play deep into the 22 and it was eventually Kenny Lee who beat the strong defence to score. Mike Briggs converted 14-30 . Chichester hit back and were awarded a penalty which was uncharacteristically missed by the impressive fly half. This allowed darts to clear the lines and again put pressure on deep in the Chichester half and the visitors were well and truly on the back foot. A scrum for Darts was well controlled by Luke at the back when under pressure and from this it was skipper Si Briggs who went in under the posts. Briggo converted to take the score to 21-30. It was all Darts at this stage and they were looking like they could snatch something out of the match. They were put out of their stride when a long injury break for the experienced flanker slowed the impetus. From an attacking scrum Chichester turned over the ball and following some words from the visiting tight head who had been standing upright at most scrums a loss of discipline from Luke Golding who had been outstanding throughout the match resulted in a red card. After a huge amount of whooping from the Chichester players every time they won ball it was the extra man again that was used well to score their bonus point try. At the death a jinky run from their centre saw him go from half way to score under the posts to give a final score of 21-42.
Not a good day for Darts who contributed to a lot of their own downfall and on a day when they had the outstanding player on the field at fly half Chichester went home with an extremely important and deserved win.