Bognor fielded a youthful side that is rebuilding and showed that they were up for the game. Dolphins kicked off and had to defend a robust attack but gave a penalty for high tackle and Bognor kicked for a line out 15m out. Ball secured and maul that broke up saw Bognor No.8 Jamie Foote score the 1st try of the game, 5-0 Bognor. For 12 minutes everything the Dolphins tried didn't quite klick, but then from a penalty kick to touch and the ensuing lineout they strung 3 phases together and Winger Patrick Warriner went in in the corner. Fly Half Harry Rabjohn converted his 1st of 3 today, 7-5 Dolphins. A high penalty count and yellow card for Bognor gave Dolphins an opening but it took another 10minutes to add to the score line. From a lineout they strung together attacks and dominated in two scrums as the front row of Armand Morgan, Cam Boa and Jez Smith took control of set pieces. Winger James Wise finished off an attacking move off the training pitch but was held up by Bognors desperate defence. Off scrum 3 phases of play saw Harry Rabjohn snipping in for a try, 14-5 Dolphins. A solid defensive set by everyone saw a turn over and counter attack. Centre Oli May kicked a fabulous 50/22 and from the lineout 4 pick and goes by the pack saw Jez Smith in for a try, 21-5. Uncharacteristic play saw knock-ons and turnovers by both sides and time ran out of the half with no further scores.
From the kick off scrum half Jonah North return the long kick and the Dolphins shut down Bognor's counter attack and turned the ball over. 4 phases of attacking play with carries from lock Jacob Ashworth and flanker Kelton New saw Jonah in for a try, 26-5. Dolphins defended the kick off but a relieving kick was charged down and Bognor added to the score, 26-10. The bench came on for Dolphins as lock Will Double replaced Harrison Chalk, Nick Stoffel replaced Arman Morgan and Rees Jones replaced Patrick Warriner. A series of scrums saw Bognor going backwards and driven off the ball. Three phases of play and James Wise went over for a try, 31-10. The attack from the restart saw a fantastic interchange between backs and forwards as the Dolphins attacked. A backs attack saw full back, and captain, Josh Blackburn put away Rees on the wing but a desperate last ditch tackle saw him tackled. Attack play went to the other touch line but Bognor held out. Once again a penalty kick to touch saw a Dolphins lineout 5m out and Kelton New found a gap for a try, 36-10. Something changed in the game and Dolphins found themselves giving away 5 penalties in 8 minutes, Chalky received a yellow card. Bognor capitalised tapping quickly and attacking with steely determination to take something from the game. They were rewarded with a try and a goal, 36-22. Dolphins came to life with three defensive sets, a turnover and then three attacking phases that saw centre Josh Blackburn split the Bognor line to score a try, 41-22. 5 minutes to go and Bognor kept coming and were held out by Dolphins. Flanker Alfie Ainscoat kept chopping them down as he had all day, but a penalty and quick tap again saw Bognor close the game with a try, 41-29.
Three wins for the Dolphins and top of the table on points difference. Engines not yet purring as it should be with the odd misfire, but it is still capable of getting the job done. Some things to address at training to tune up and bring more power to next weeks fixture against Gosport & Fareham at Havant.