LITTLEHAMPTON Rugby Club suffered a narrow 12-10 loss to Chichester 4th, who have lost just once this season, in Sussex League Division 2 West, on Saturday.
Littlehampton made second-placed Chichester work hard for the win and from the start pushed Chichester back with a chipped ball by Dean Torode. But they could not break through Chichester's defence.
Chichester then started to put Littlehampton und
er pressure and, after several rucks and mauls in Littlehampton's 22, they got an unconverted try, which was the only score of the first half.
Littlehampton levelled at 5-5 in the second period. Billy Johnstone shipped the ball out to Torode, who passed to Bobby Matthews and, after a brilliant side step, he sprinted to the corner to touch down, although the try was not converted.
Chichester managed to edge 12-5 ahead with a converted try but Littlehampton responded and from a scrum Craig Walters' touch down took the score to 12-10.
In the closing moments, Littlehampton were awarded a penalty, in kicking distance, but Torode was denied by a post. With the ball still in play, Littlehampton managed to gain possession but knocked the ball on just short of the try line.
By keeping the losing deficit to within seven points, Littlehampton got a losing bonus point.
Littlehampton entertain Bognor 4th on Saturday.
LITTLEHAMPTON: Simmons, Russell, Singleton, Merridue, Eames, Boddington, Newman, Keirle, Johnstone, Torode, Matthews, Best, Richie, Wood, Walters. Subs: Lindsay, Cornelius, Porter, Lovegrove.
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