Basingstoke 26 Chichester 16.

Basingstoke were worthy winners of this tense and physical game but Blues made them work very hard for the points despite being hampered by injuries.They were without their vastly experienced tight head prop Phil Veltom and the other bad news was that Stoke were at full strength with the return of talented fly half Adam Davies.He and scrum half Fish excelled with tricky footwork and kicks which found some gaps.Chi competed hard and had good spells in the first and last quarters but were second best on the day.The margin was 3 tries, 3 penalties and one conversion to one try, 3 penalties and one conversion.However there was no bonus point and Chi stay second ih the league ,one point ahead of their rivals.

Joe Woods replaced Veltom and Matt Corrigan was on the bench as prop replacement. Chi welcomed back Chris Johnson, Tim Cook and Nick Blount.The pitch was sticky but in reasonable condition after the rain.A big crowd reflected the importance of the match. Blues started brightly and a Billy Toone tap penalty led to a brisk crossfield attack with good passing and Cook making ground on the left wing.But a poor kick out of their 22 gave Davies the chance for a half break and a penalty to Stoke for holding on,which he slotted.Chi went forward again and won a penalty,Stoke argued and were marched back three times, Richard Adams kicking the three points from their 22 line.There was an eruption between the players in midfield and the referee warned both captains to control things.Davies kicked a second penalty and a third when Johnson made a rash tackle and was given a yellow card.He was joined in the sin bin soon after by Stoke no.8 Ford who made a very late tackle on Toby Golds after the full back had cleared his lines.Chi supporters rose to their feet when Sam Renwick made a stunning break and sprinted 45 metres. A try looked certain but a fast Stoke defender cut him off and tackled 5 metres short.Stoke infringed at a scrum and Adams made it 6-9 with a confident penalty kick.Jack Bentall was injured and limped for the rest of the game. Stoke got going and applied pressure on the Chi defence.Golds made a saving tackle on the left wing and when the ball was switched across,Stoke were forced into the right touch.Finally winger Buttle stepped past tackles in the centre and quick hands sent outside centre Gleadowe over at the left flag.Conversion missed, 6-14.Renwick made another lightning break but outpaced support and the chance was lost. Sadly Woods suffered a leg injury and had to leve the field for the rest of the game and was replaced by Corrigan. Stoke probed and Fish went through a gaping hole but his crafty kick along the line just went into touch.Chi had patity at lineouts with Niall Goldie catching and giving competently and the back row was coping well but mostly on the back foot. The front five were having a hard time at the coal face and had more bad luck when Corrigan was struck on the back of his head and knocked out for several minutes. 6-14 at the break and all to play for.But with Chi's injuries up front,they needed to score a try and close the gap.

Replacements Nick Blount and Henry Luxton came out at lock and on the wing respectively.There was a promising restart and Blues mauled hard ,driving on and the ball spun out to try to break through. Stoke infringed to stop them and Adams obliged with his third successful kick.Stoke knew the next score would be decisive and they went for it.Chi defended stoutly but scrums 10 metres out sapped strength and quick passing across the backs drew the cover for Gleadowe to score again.Davies added the extras.Johnson and Moses Kasujja tried hard to break out but met Stoke's second defensive line which was firm. Buttle had a superb run to the right corner for Stoke but Golds and Adams did very well to hold him up.Corrigan had to retire and the scrums went uncontested. At 9-21, a losing bonus was possible and Chi started to keep possession and not kick for territory hoping to get a try. But this was not likely to work from within their own 22 and the killer blow resulted. Stoke knocked on 25 metres out but got away with it and Davies kicked accurately over the top,winger Kelly winning the race to touch down. He converted and now Chi could only seek a consolation. They persevered and scored the best try of the game. A flowing move the length of the field with forwards and backs combining to beat several tackles and Goldie went over next to the posts.Adams converted. Luxton had two powerful runs with Johnson assisting and Kasujja showed his attacking strength but all too late.A Golds clean catch foiled the last Stoke raid and the final whistle ended a hard fought game between two good teams.

DOR Paul Colley said:

'It was a very tough match and keenly contested.We missed Phil Veltom and Stoke had a definite edge up front.Their tactical kicking was impressive and half backs and wingers in good form.We competed and had some good play, especially in the last 20 minutes whan all was not lost.'

Chi supporters were pleased to greet after the game their most senior member 95 years young Doug Stroud who enjoyed his Guinness in the clubhouse.

Chi squad: Woods, Lawrence Shopland O'Callaghan Goldie Kasujja Polhill Johnson Toone Adams Cook Bentall Renwick Jackson Golds Corrigan Blount Luxton

Next week Chi are home to Haywards Heath,kick off 2.15 p.m. All support welcome.