Having lost their last four matches Cobham knew they would need to secure points from this fixture to ensure they avoided relegation.
Cobham had won this equivalent fixture 27-41 in September 2017 but when Chi had come to the Memorial grounds last December they had restricted Cobham to just three penalties and won comfortably 9-30.
Director of rugby Steve Pope had asked President Lionel Frewin to speak to the team before the match emphasising the importance of the result and ultimately those words were to be rewarded.
Played in ideal spring weather conditions Cobham could not have wished for a better start with fly half Tom Farrelly intercepting a loose pass close to the Chi try line to score under the posts and then converting 0-7 after just five minutes.
Knocked back Chi responded and it required fierce defence from Cobham with back row Ali Porter putting in some similar big tackles that had earned him the man of the match award the previous week.
Although more comfortably placed in the league Chi wanted a win as much as Cobham and in these initial stages were perhaps trying too hard which was reflected by some dropped passes and infringements. A penalty given away in front of their posts proved costly as Farrelly added to the score line 0-10 after just ten minutes.
Chichester finally got themselves into the game but again they squandered a chance with a knock on. The resulting scrum provided Cobham with a free kick and Chi were again penalised in their half to give Farrelly a further penalty opportunity. This time the kick was off target and from the restart Chi built momentum initially from an interception. Cobham defended but at the cost of losing second row John Radford for a deliberate infringement receiving a yellow card. Taking advantage of the extra player Chi Captain and back row Charlie Wallace broke the tackle and fed number 8 Chris Johnson to go over for a try converted by fly half Henry Anscombe 10-7.
Buoyed by the score Chi put together a further line move but were adjudged to have passed forward and within minutes Cobham suffered a similar fate when James MacDonald looked clear. With both sides looking for the next score Tom Farrelly looked to emulate his previous interception but this time he was adjudged off side and from a quick tap penalty Chi went over under the posts for a converted try 14-10 and with half time beckoning Chi forward Shaun Baker took his opportunity to score and Anscombe converted 21-10.
That first half score will have been a disappointment for Cobham having started so strongly and the situation didn't improve when Anscombe took his opportunity with a long range drop kick. 24-13 Although Farrelly restored the differential with a well taken penalty 24-13 Chi's talisman Chris Johnson once again broke the line and with Anscombe converting 31-13 looked a daunting score line for Cobham.
Cobham have been anything other than consistent this season in giving away leads only for them to then recover but even by their standards this looked beyond them. It was perhaps at this point that President Lionel Frewin's words before the game and Director of rugby Steve Pope's words at half time kicked in because what came next spoke volumes for the character of this team
Firstly Tiernan White dummied to go over the line, Farrelly converting 31-20 and then full back Jordon Bond kicked ahead and collected Farrelly converting 31-27
Those scores set up a really nervy final ten minutes and with Chi losing a player to the sin bin Cobham took advantage to put together a back line move with Bond putting Will Sanders into the corner and Cobham had regained the lead 31-32
Cobham thought they had extended the lead when Sanders touched down from a Bond kick ahead but a penalty had been called and ultimately Cobham couldnt gain advantage from the line out.
Chi responded tearing down the middle of the pitch and desperate to retain the lead this time Cobham forward Doug Rodman was penalised and yellow carded. The penalty kick from Anscombe restored the lead 34-32. With both teams down to 14 men and only minutes remaining Cobham clawed their way back up into the home sides half and in what looked to be the final play of the match were awarded a penalty.
A final minute kick to decide the result will always create pressure -when the kick may also determine where the team finishes in the league is a special kind of pressure. Tom Farrelly stepped up and responded superbly and took away Cobham's relegation concerns with the match finishing 34-35.
Director of rugby Steve Pope said " Relief ... that was a very close one.. after a few tough weeks boys have responded today and against a very capable Chichester side ground out a thoroughly deserved win.
Scorers :
Tries: Farrelly, Bond, White and Sanders
Conversions: Farrelly (3)
Penalties :Farrelly (3)
