Chichester (A's) v HHRFC (A's)

In some dystopian future when cockroaches rule the earth, in some small corner, Heath will be playing Chichester at rugby. The backdrop of government warnings aside, the plethora of parking spaces at junior rugby on a Sunday, was a stark warning of the reality of the situation we are currently in. Stuff just got real.

These matches are always fiercely contested and one which always stands out on the fixture list as a barometer of how good you are. Unsurprisingly the game started with both teams up for it. The Chichester fly half was mixing it up, demonstrating clear-headed play which came as a surprise to many on the touch line. Chichester are a strong side and quick handed back row play was only stopped by a Callum C-M crunching tackle. Unfortunately, the opposition winger was able to take advantage of the space created on the blind side to score under the posts (7-0).

Heath responded strongly and positively and their front foot rugby was rewarded with a penalty as the ref spotted the Chichester line was offside and James D slotted the pen (7-3). Chichester then responded with a penalty of their own for back chat (and to be fair the perpetrator apologised to the ref at half time (10-3)). As the match unfolded it was clear these were two very closely match sides. On balance Heath had the upper hand in the scrum but the Chichester back line was quicker up giving Heath less time to play. A great run from Callum CM was only stopped by being bundled into touch merely metres from the line and a heroic length of advantage from the ref allowed Heath to maintain pressure. If we weren’t knocking on the door, we were certainly plucking up the courage to walk up the garden path. Half time (10-3).

The half time talk from Archie K left many wondering if it was St Crispin’s Day already albeit possibly with less swearing. Suitably geed up the team started the second half with gusto up to the point of the kick-off from Oliver S not going 10 meters. The game then became a little scrappy, but Chichester had territorial advantage. Eight minutes in, there was great Heath defence from both forwards and backs (I couldn’t see really; it was the other side) on our own try line kept the foes out and enabled us to clear our lines. The team then showed great ambition in throwing the ball down the line to run it out from deep. Sadly, this resulted in an interception try which was converted (17-3). It’s a team game and it would be wrong to blame anyone, so no names will be mentioned.

The restart led to some great pressure from Heath from a booming kick from James D and great running from Kai D making up for his earlier interception pass. A strange passage of play resulted in Chichester being awarded a free kick on their 22 but a combination of the Howitzer like boot of the Chichester No.10 and the prevailing wind took the ball straight into touch; so back we all came for a Heath attacking line out. A solid line from Stan B lead to a great series of pick and gos by the lumbering forwards and a well worked score for Oli St (17-8). The old adage 'that if the ref gives it - it was grounded' was lost on the opposition players, one of whom was asked to take an early rest. A late penalty from Chichester rounded off the scoring. Full time (20-8).

Overall as our heroes trudged off, the crowd were left to digest a quality ding-dong battle. If there is a lining made of precious metal, often silver, it is the valuable learning points for the next game - whenever that might be.

I think it is fitting we mull the words of Rudyard Kipling at this point:

If you can tackle - and not make tackling your master;
 If you can kick - and not make kicks your game;
 If you can meet with triumph and disaster
And treat those two imposters just the same…..

He also made exceedingly good cakes. Stay safe everyone!