National last eight is the prize for Chichester rugby colts
This article contains affiliate links. We may earn a small commission on items purchased through this article, but that does not affect our editorial judgement.
Following five bruising rounds, the Blues triumphd in another Titanic battle.
It was soon apparent the away side were going to represent a real challenge. They disrupted the Blues ball and forced early errors – and soon a try meant Chi were 5-0 down.
Advertisement
Hide AdAdvertisement
Hide AdChi were battling hard with Charlie Constable and Tom Adlington going toe to toe with their bigger opponents.
Alex Margarson and Dan Patterson threatened with dangerous running but Westcliff proved difficult to break down. Ned Renwick cleared his lines well but the Blues were on the back foot.
On 30 minutess, Westcliff got on the scoreboard again with a well-worked drive and a second try was converted for a 12-0 scoreline.
After a shaky start Greg Firth and James Fitzmaurice started to get to grips in the lineout.
Advertisement
Hide AdAdvertisement
Hide AdWith five minutes of the half left, a great forward surge took play to within three metres of the try line. Stirrup whipped the ball away and Truman moved the ball on for Owen Seehawong to go over.
The Blues upped the tempo after the break and Fitzmaurice hit a couple of great lines, while great ruck clearances from Joe Stirrup and Will Prior helped the Blues dominate.
Renwick punched three long raking kicks deep into Vultures’ Corner but Wesciff defended stoutly.
Great tackles from Constable, Jack Rugman and Emille Crosby-Wilshire held the away side a bay.
Advertisement
Hide AdAdvertisement
Hide AdAfter 25 minutes of intense pressure, Patterson produced almost a carbon copy of last week’s scintillating try with another beautiful swerving run, ghosting away from the resilient Cliff defence to score close to the posts and make it 12-12.
Renwick punched the ball deep into Vultures’ Corner. The pressure told as the Blues won the penalty and Renwick, under real pressure, slotted the vital three points.
Cliff pushed hard and three superb defensive efforts kept them out. Iwan Munroe stole a vital strike against the head – then Constable did a remarkable wrap tackle on the Westcliff No8 with the line a metre away.
Adlington won a vital penalty turnover and Renwick pumped the resulting penalty long down the touchline – and the game was theirs.
Men of the match were Patterson and Constable.
Advertisement
Hide AdAdvertisement
Hide AdMatt Adlington, Chichester’s assistant coach, said: “Wow what a win – we didn’t quite play at the level we wanted but when it really counted we had enough.”
Chi director of rugby Paul Colley said: “This was a great cup tie – Westcliff gave us a fantastic game – a real tough and physical match but in the true spirit of rugby.”
CHICHESTER: Prior, Munroe, Rugman, Firth, Fitzmaurice, Scott, Adlington, Constable, Stirrup, Renwick, Baxter, Margarson, Patterson, Seehawong, Truman, Brereton, Delacy, Crosby-Wilshire, Ellis, Grace, Hutchin, Spreckley.
Don’t miss out on all the latest breaking sports news where you live.
Advertisement
Hide AdAdvertisement
Hide AdHere are four ways you can be sure you’ll be among the first to know what’s going on.
1 Make this website your homepage
2 Like our Facebook page at facebook.com/pages/Sport-Sussex
3 Follow us on Twitter @SportSussex
4 Register with us by clicking on ‘sign in’ (top right corner). You can then receive our daily newsletter AND add your point of view to stories that you read here.
Share with your family and friends - so they don’t miss out!