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View from the touchline: Campaign will test the Blues
Another challenging season lies ahead for Chichester Blues.
London one south now consists of five teams from Kent, four Surrey, three Sussex and one each from Hampshire and Middlesex.
The fixtures against Portsmouth, Haywards Heath and Hove will be regarded as derbies and Chichester have a happy memory of beating Portsmouth handsomely last time they met in a cup game at Oaklands.
Every game will be hard as all teams should be strong and well-coached.
Defences will be mean and chances must be taken. Mistakes will be punished at this top level of amateur rugby.
Dover were runners-up last season and should start as favourites. They have an outstanding back line, including three of the successful Kent squad.
But in Chichester's first match at home this weekend, they face another contender for honours: newly-promoted and semi-professional Tonbridge Juddians, who won all their league games last season and most by large margins.
It could be the biggest test and the Blues will need to be fast out of the blocks.
Beckenham, Cobham, Sutton and dark horses London Irish Amateur will also be straining at the bit.
Chichester have trained in good numbers and team spirit is high.
With at least two players competing for each position in the first XV, the seconds should be strong enough to compete well in the newly-formed league of eight southern clubs including Basingstoke, Bournemouth, Havant and Gosport.
Chichester can also field third and fourth teams in leagues and a fifth team for occasional friendlies.
Oaklands Park is the place to enjoy some quality rugby and you will also enjoy the social side if you wander up to the clubhouse bar before and after games. Come and join us on the touchline,it beats shopping!
And keep reading the Observer sports pages for fixtures and the best coverage of Chichester and other local rugby.
ROGER GOULD
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Weather for Chichester
Saturday 04 February 2012
Today
Sunny spells
Temperature: 3 C to 4 C
Wind Speed: 20 mph
Wind direction: South
Tomorrow
Cloudy
Temperature: 2 C to 5 C
Wind Speed: 10 mph
Wind direction: North
