Guildford held to dramatic draw in relegation battle with Chichester

Guildford Rugby Club

Guildford held to dramatic draw in relegation battle with Chichester

Guildford 22 – 22 Chichester

Saturday 8th March 2025

Team: 1 James Delderfield, 2 Coby Coy, 3 Jon Karimian, 4, Jamie Curtis, 5, Alex Burrill, 6 Jordan Brodly, 7 Tom Devereaux, 8 Joe Garner, 9 Liam Driscoll, 10 Joe Gwyther (C), 11 Ben Bushell, 12 Rob Voller, 13 Charlie Gibbons, 14, Louis Bounds, 15, Will Craven

Replacements: 16, Ben Meager, 17 Paddy Wood, 18 Solomon Poole, TR Jacob Jones

Scorers:

Tries: Voller, Coy, Gibbons

Cons: Gwyther (2)

Pens: Gwyther (1)

Guildford’s hopes of pulling away from the relegation zone were left hanging in the balance after a tense 22-22 draw against Chichester at Broadwater on Saturday. Despite a valiant display, the hosts remain three points adrift of safety with just two fixtures remaining.

A sun-drenched afternoon and a buoyant crowd, swelled by 120 attendees at the Past Players' Lunch, provided the perfect backdrop for a game of high stakes and high drama. Guildford began with purpose, demonstrating early dominance that was rewarded when Joe Gwyther slotted a penalty after 11 minutes to open the scoring.

The home side maintained control, with Jamie Curtis impressing in the lineout and the scrum providing a solid attacking platform. Liam Driscoll, making a welcome return to action, was sharp at the breakdown, keeping Chichester’s defence on high alert. Their early superiority was underlined when Rob Voller powered over in the corner after 18 minutes, though Gwyther was unable to add the extras. A Chichester penalty reduced the deficit to 8-3 midway through the half.

Guildford's momentum took a hit when Joe Garner was forced off through injury, prompting a reshuffle in the forward pack. Matters worsened as Jordan Brodly was sent to the sin bin, but Chichester soon suffered a similar fate. The hosts regained their grip before half-time, as a well-executed lineout maul saw Coby Coy touch down, with Gwyther converting to stretch the lead to 15-3. Another yellow card for the visitors rounded off a first half in which Guildford had looked the stronger side.

However, the hosts have struggled in second halves this season, and this contest proved no exception. Chichester came out with renewed intensity, and their pressure soon told as Guildford lost James Delderfield to the sin bin. The visitors struck with a converted try to narrow the gap to 15-10.

A tense, evenly matched period followed, though Guildford’s lineout began to falter, the scrum was solid. Chichester, growing in confidence, took advantage to level the scores at 15-15 with an unconverted try. The home side responded five minutes from time when Charlie Gibbons, now operating at scrum-half, darted over from close range. Gwyther added the conversion, giving Guildford a 22-15 lead.

The Broadwater crowd held its breath in the final moments, but their hopes of a crucial victory were dashed when Chichester surged through in the dying minutes to cross near the posts. The conversion sealed the draw, leaving Guildford frustrated at a result that could have been so much more.

With a week’s respite to recover from injuries, Guildford must now regroup ahead of two crucial fixtures that will decide their fate. They travel to Wimborne on 22nd March before a final home showdown on 5th April against Andover. Survival remains within reach, but they will need nothing less than two wins to secure it.

Mike Burden

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