Men’s 1st XV v Chichester 26/04/2009

Away – Sussex Cup Final

Report by Andy Ward

Lost 19-22

Alas, after giving it our best shot we were pipped at the post. In my opinion, we lost the game rather than Chichester winning it. The first half, we were all over them – with one unfortunate set back in the 14th minute. The second half, they spotted a weakness in the middle channel and exploited it twice and we didn’t recover. Nerves seem to set in a bit and had we just calmed ourselves down and played rugby rather than trying to force the issue, I think the end result would have been different.

Had that been us playing Old Pissupians in a friendly, we’d have creamed it – but these big games can cause all sorts of pressure on people and I think that ultimately was our downfall.

But, irritating though it may be it does not in any way change the fact that we have just had a BLOODY GOOD season. Had we been offered 3rd spot and runners up in the Cup and fourth round in the EDF we would probably have taken it. My own personal ambitions for this season were to challenge for promotion and have a good run in one of the cups Job done.

We have a mainly young team who will now know what its like to play on the big stage. Those butterfiles will be banished and we will bounce back and next season – it will be Champions and Cup Winners. And probably Twickenham as well!

So, to the game itself. We started better and had some good early forays deep into the Chichester half when they were surely worrying about what was about to hit them. Good play by Adam saw him tearing through a static Chichester defence (I refuse to say Chi – stupid word!) and only a wayward pass brought the move to an end. Liam was around the park like a whirling dervish and Rory was not going to let his injury stop him.

The pack was pushing Chichester at will and they were dropping the scrum – too often – and not getting penalised enough. In the 8th minute the ball was worked down the Hove left and the chase was on. A panic hack at the ball by Chichester saw Hove awarded the ball and I announced over a slurp of my lager that I expected to see a Cobra (yes, I know you all call it something different – but secrets! nudge nudge…)

Sure enough the move was played and the result pretty similar to what it has always been this season. Try to Hove in the shape of young Watty. With young Sam having broken something or other in his arm (I must ask how – nothing to do with Jodrell I hope) Hove were missing a specialist kicker. Adam had a go but mis hit the ball and the points were lost.

Hove were looking good and in the ascendency when calamity struck in a way calamity always does and James – fresh off a plane this very morning had a kick charged down and all were wrong footed. Try to Chichester and they converted it too. I think it was the number 15 that scored the try. 5-7 down after 15 minutes.

After 21 minutes on the clock Ryan broke through and a mix up by Chichester saw him come through with the ball for a canter home under the posts to take the score to 10-7. A quick flick of the ankle from Matt saw Hove 12-7 up and a more reflective score given the territory and possession.

Hove were awarded a penalty in the 29th minute and – to me – it looked like it had sailed over. It must have looked that way to the guy on the scoreboard too – because he awarded it. However, it transpires that it wasn’t given and so we remained officially on 12-7 although it took the scoreboard a few minutes to reflect what reality was destined to be.

After the 36th minute, and plenty of Hove pressure on the Chichester line with phase after phase of ball the referee became exasperated with the illegal Chichester play and awarded a penalty try which Adam converted to take the score to 19-7 and there it remained until half time.

The second half started and Hove suffered two early blows from which they didn’t properly recover. Chichester had spotted a weakness down the middle channel and exploited it twice for 2 tries in as many minutes early in the second half. One was converted and that brought the scores level.

Hove continued to battle but were trying to press too much. Passes were going away from hand, players were over running and I saw a couple of arguments. Easy for me I know, but you have to calm things at this stage of a game and just get on with playing the basics of the game and do them well. Scores will come if you do that.

A double substitution was made in the 55th minute with Dom and Ben coming on for Brian and Matt.

In the 60th minute someone transgressed – I didn’t see who – and Chichester were awarded a fairly easy penalty and this they scored to take the advantage and lead the game by 3 points. A few minutes later, another transgression by Chichester saw the ref lose patience and sin bin this latest offender and Hove had a chance to press. The first decision had to be – what to do with the penalty and the election was to kick into touch. Was this right? Possibly go for the points? But without a kicker – who knows. I think it was a prop who was off, so a scrum and a shove was an option. But a line it was and the opportunity passed with bad hands in the backs.

Several more attacks were mounted by Hove but we weren’t getting through and as time went on passes got just a tad optimistic. The final few minutes saw the ball out to Seb and he set off on a run but there was too much to do. We did seem to be missing the centres out several times on passes and going straight to the wing. I’m not certain that is the best decision especially when in our half.

And so, full time came and the whistle was blown and Hove had lost by three points. A damn shame, but there it was and we have to learn from the experience.As I said earlier, it doesn’t change the fact that this has been a GOOD SEASON and we have done well to get where we are. Next year, more experienced and just as willing and we will be there again – and this time…Take care all and have a good break. I won’t see you at the Player’s Dinner – having some R&R in the Iberian peninsula. I’ll be back for the AGM and no doubt that will be the usual hoot!Have a good summer and come back refreshed. Keep an eye on the web site for training news and can you ALL please send me your latest email addresses as you seem to change them more often that pants!