Chineham RFC 24 : Fareham RFC 19
Chineham RFC demolished league leaders Fareham after coming from behind to bag their first win of the season 24-19 at home.
The win was their first in the London SE Hampshire 2 league, following defeats against Aldershot and Fleet, and Alresford.
Chineham started strongly and for the first 10 minutes were camped in the Fareham half, with some solid tackling and hard rucking. Chineham were unable convert the pressure into points, with Dan Waller missing a penalty.
Fareham then scored an unconverted try with their first venture into the Chineham 22.
Chineham’s started to improve as the half continued. However, it was the Heathens who scored again, the Fareham centre scoring under the sticks courtesy of an interception, ending the first half 12-0.
Chineham came out all guns blazing at the start of the second half. However, Fareham’s defence held firm and for 15 minutes it looked like Chineham were not going to find a way back into the game.
But fly-half Alex James turned the game around by blitzing through the Fareham defence from 20 yards out to score a converted try to take the game to 12-7.
Shortly after, scrum-half Neil Richards darted over for his first try of the day to bring the scores level. The same player then added another, which Alex James converted, to put the home side in front for the first time 19-12
To the delight of the large crowd, Matt Heley then scored Chineham’s fourth try of the half to make it 24-12 to Chineham .
Fareham threw everything they had at Chineham in the last 10 minutes. However. Chineham’s defence held strong until the very last play of the game when Fareham crashed over for a converted consolation try.
The Chineham 1st XV are next in action away against Southampton on October 22.
