After a couple of weekends off, the Dolphins were welcomed back into the Zoo League action, by a tough Chichester 2nd XV, an encounter that left a bitter taste in the mouths of the players who played in the same fixture last season.

The squad selected to take on Chichester was similar to last years squad, along with a couple of new additions added to it.

Up front and led by captain Charlie Wright at hooker alongside a strong set of props in Jonny Hill and Fraser Bruce. In the engine room was a return for the wise Christian Roberts and tackling machine of Tyler Anchor. Back row, fresh from 1st XV exposure, and doing themselves credit each week, Tom Mew, Harrison Chalk and Will Owen. Scrum half saw a welcome back to Jake Reynolds, who led an experienced back line of Pete Living at fly half, a wise and effective partnership of club legends Grant Morris and Leighton Davies, in the centres. Feeding a back three of pace, agility and grit in the shape of Tom Merrett, Jean Baptiste and Cameron McGuigan.

Initial seconds of the game saw both sides greeting each other, in the only way these two sides have done in previous encounters, with added urgency to impress the many onlookers for today’s match. A line-out early for Havant saw a bizarre moment that left the Chichester players not following that old adage “play to the whistle”. On the other hand the ever effective Will Owen carried the ball over the try line from a slick line-out move from the forwards to start the scoring for us. Followed by a conversion from Cameron McGuigan. 0 - 7.

Further exchanges between the teams led to another strange moment, presented by the referee again, and allowing a few things to go, meant that Chichester answered with a score, bringing it to 5 - 7 to Havant.

This seemed to frustrate the Dolphins, which resulted in an excellent response, excellent phase play and good field position meant that we were camped on the oppositions 5m line with a scrum for Chichester. Excellent work at the scrum meant a turnover was forced and led to our own put in, driving the Chichester pack back over their own line and ill discipline from Chichester gave the Dolphins a penalty try, 5 - 14 to Havant.

Recent weeks of training sessions and the implementation of our ideas and players working hard off the ball led to some brilliant phases of play, much more than in our previous game this season, allowing space to be created for our strong running backs and quick thinking Jake Reynolds capitalised with a well taken try and Cameron McGuigan adding the extra’s.

Half time: Chichester 5 - Dolphins 21

The second half initially started with a frantic 5 minutes in which Chichester were able to apply some pressure and open the second half with a score and conversion. 12 - 21.

Along came a back and forth application of pressure from the Dolphins, most of which was spent in the opponents 22 and some good defensive efforts from Chichester. Harrison Chalk, Will Owen, Fraser Bruce and Grant Morris showing the way forward through some really strong running and effective defence in many different ways.

This allowed freedom within the backs and saw some excellent attacking options used within multiple sets. Using a well organised system, where in which we stretched the opposition and applied more pressure for long periods of time. The only frustration is the final piece of the jigsaw of getting a score each time was missing in places. A try from big Fraser Bruce and conversion from McGuigan made the score 12 - 28.

Quickly answered back by Chichester to make 19 - 28.

Here Havant showed some smart and effective use of the ball. Still in dominant field position meant using our very strong pack and even with multiple changes throughout the match, showing the strength in depth, forced the referee to award yet another try to the Dolphins through our scrum dominance. Moving the score to 19 - 35.

Late pressure again by Havant led to penalty kick from McGuigan.

Final score 19 - 35.

Dolphins win.

All in all a positive performance from all players. Showing the ability of recent knowledge into a match and impose their dominance in set pieces.

Well done to all involved and onto the next one. Hope to see as many there to support the Dolphins as possible.