The rugby powers that be determined that CS should play 75 miles away on what is rugby’s traditional pre-Christmas derby day. It was the club’s first visit for a league match there, the journey undertaken like so many this season by letting the train take the strain. It was then a short cab ride to the attractive open vistas of Oaklands Park on the north side of the town.
The Stags acquitted themselves well against a meaty Chichester side, albeit often under considerable pressure in the set-piece.
Results elsewhere meant that Chichester ended the day a lofty second in the league whereas CS face quite a scrap in the New Year to retain their status. Three teams go down and CS currently lie fourth from bottom!
Although it is normally their skilful backs that one sees on the score sheet this week it was forwards, Joe Clarke and Josh Forrester.
Having played with the bright winter sun in their eyes in the first half and the advantage of the light breeze and very slight slope to come there was hope yet when the Stags turned round only 15-7 down , a deficit soon cut to 15-10 when outside-half Matt Killeen kicked a straight-forward penalty.
It was at that point though that Chichester decided to swat off their terrier like opponents by making their weight advantage really count and three further home scores were largely the product of persistent forward pressure and some adroit off-loading when called for. The Stags, increasingly on the back foot, were struggling to work out where the next thrust might come from and every now and then there was the perhaps inevitable defensive lapse.
The Stags finished strongly but, despite the try for Forrester, there was to be nothing tangible for them to take from the match. The injury-hit side will be hoping that it will be able to benefit from the break from rugby over Christmas and that it will be able to welcome back a number of returnees in the New Year although their replacements have in their absence certainly performed very creditably.
On 3rd January the Stags again get to play the closest of their neighbours, Barnes, at Duke’s Meadows. Barnes will be buoyed up by their convincing win on their last outing against the league leaders, London Irish Wild Geese, and will be looking no doubt for further revenge for the double that the Stags inflicted on them last season. Barnes won its home game against CS 38-28 back in September. Kick –off will be 1400.

CS scorers:

Tries :
Clarke
Forrester

Cons :
Killeen (2)
Pen :
Killeen