After their home defeat against Medway the previous weekend, Blues travelled north to play Hammersmith and Fulham at Hurlingham Park in London. A small contingent of the Chichester faithful made the journey on an unseasonably warm and sunny afternoon in the capital. Blues made 7 changes to the team that played Medway. Will Norton returned in the pack, Gareth Davies, Matt McLagan, Harry Seaman and Tom Blewitt came into the backs, with Niall Wright and Josh Sankey, making his 1st XV debut, on the bench.

Hammersmith started the match and immediately had Chichester under pressure. On 3 minutes Blues won the first scrum of the match, on their 22 metre line, but couldn’t retain the ball providing the opposition centre a simple run in to score under the posts. Converted. 7 -0. From the restart Hammersmith knocked on and Blues advanced up to the opposition 5 metre line before spilling the ball. Chichester continued to cause Hammersmith problems at the scrum and were awarded a penalty 15 metres out. Slotted by Tom Blewitt. 7 - 3 and 9 minutes played. From the restart the opposition concede another penalty and a sublime kick from Blewitt found the corner. However, Hammersmith were able to steal the ball at the lineout and clear their lines. After 22 minutes Blues conceded 2 penalties and Hammersmith advanced to the 22 metre line, where they won the lineout. A lightning quick break penetrated the Chichester defence but the last man got in a tackle which spilled the ball, but it was a Hammersmith hand that touched it down for the try. Converted from out wide. 14 - 3. From the restart another infringement provided Blewitt with a penalty kick. 14 - 6 and 26 minutes gone. Both teams were putting in a great defensive shift and a change of tactic saw the opposition hoist a ball over the top, which Tyrese Makasi took coolly under pressure. His offload found Harry Seaman who cleared the ball 60 metres up the pitch. Chichester won the foot race and Hammersmith infringed to provide Blewitt with another penalty kick. 14 - 9 and 6 minutes until half time. In the final minute a Blues’ clearance didn’t find touch and Hammersmith’s centre sliced through the defence to score. Converted.

Half time and 21 - 9. Much head scratching from the Chichester faithful with Blues unable to capitalise on their domination in the scrum and a misfiring lineout.

Chichester started the second half the stronger playing almost exclusively in Hammersmith’s half, with the exception of an interception that was run in from the halfway line on 50 minutes. Converted. 28 - 9. 6 minutes later the referee produced a yellow card and reduced Hammersmith to 14 players. Blues threw the kitchen sink at the opposition but their well drilled defence held firm on the 22 metre line. On 63 minutes, Seaman, now playing at scrum half, passed out to Gareth Davies who chipped over the defence for Eddie Jenkinson to chase and just winning the race to dot down the loose ball for the try. A great conversion from Blewitt out wide. 28 - 16. With Hammersmith back up to a full complement they made there first assault over the Blues 22 metre line on 70 minutes and, in the final 4 minutes, scored 2 converted tries.

Full time and 38 - 16. The margin of defeat was hard on Blues after their gutsy performance, particularly in the second half. However, having dominated the scrum for 80 minutes, and caused the opposition problems at the breakdown, it was the pace and physicality of Hammersmith’s backs that made the difference.

Man of the match was Harry Seaman.

The Chichester squad: Drayson, Ives, Woods, Deavall, Conley, Makasi, Wallace (capt.), Norton, Johnston, Davies, Miller, Jenkinson, McLagan, Seaman, Blewitt, Cameron, Wright and Sankey.

Chichester 1st XV’s next match is on Saturday, 6th of November when they welcome Farnham to Oaklands Park. Kick off is at 14:00.