Long Journey to Bognor Regis ends in defeat

Bognor RFC III 84 Cinque Ports 5 (HT 40-5)

What on paper appears to be a heavy defeat for Cinque Ports was actually a very positive experience. As with more famous names like Gloucester losing to the might of Brive on Saturday, Cinque Ports were playing against one of the best organised clubs in Sussex. CPR were against the third XV of Bognor who play in the London SW2 league. For a club which only four years ago could barely muster 10 players for league fixtures in its first season; so that to travel to Bognor with a full compliment of 15 shows how the club has developed postively. The fifteen was very much a scratch side through injury and other commitments, only 4 players recognised as first choice in their position- and the unlikely sight of chairman Marcus Davies, head coach Bill Langley and team manager Gavin Thomas all having to make starting appearances. The nature of the team was apparent as Bognor's ferocious well drilled pack took full  and complete control of the game, shunting Cinque Ports off the ball at scrums meant that CPR were suffering from a major lack of possession. There were bright sparks, scrum half Chris Eastwood captaining for the day was a sniping, biting presence at the fringes, makeshift full back Luke Price was a revelation- solid under the high ball and mercurial in possession. The ever dangerous Mike Dangerfield was also a bright spot, his dangerous running with the ball in hand kept the Bognor defence on their toes and it was no surprise when a loose ball found its way to Mike Dangerfield that he danced his way home from the half way line for try number 8 of the season. Carl Malthouse playing out of position at outside half missed the conversion.
Cinque Ports pack found itself under pressure but Tim Gough's strong forwards kept up a strong defensive performance and regularly won line out ball on both teams’ throws. Bognor were a savvy side and when it became apparent that CPR had dangerous runners in the backs, the ball disappeared into mauls and when the ball was in hand Bognor focussed on the wings where unlikely wingers Marcus Davies and Gavin Thomas found themselves stretched throughout the game
Luke Price was named as man of the match for a good performance under very difficult circumstances. Gavin Thomas in his more familiar role of team manager was honest in his appraisal "Bognor are a very strong side and that showed on the field, but we never gave up and they recognised that too. I don't think every club in our league will make this journey and the fact we did shows how we are developing as a club". Bill Langley went on to comment “I can see that we have just played the team that looks as if it will win the Bishops Finger league this season. They have a very complete XV. CPR are on the road yet again for the fifth time in league matches, against Newick II on Saturday. I am confident we will look to return to our winning ways.” 
 
Butcher, Langley, Maplesden, Gough, Giles, Swift, Whittington, Barningham, Eastwood, Malthouse, Van De Pelt, Dangerfield, Thomas, Davies, Price CPR travel away to Newick II next Saturday