Havant produce '˜complete' victory

The centre scored two tries, kicked four conversions and added a penalty to maintain his side’s title challenge.

The win over the strugglers keeps Havant securely in second spot – eight points behind leaders Sidcup.

Head coach Will Knight rated it as one of his team’s best performances so far this season.

‘Chobham were a much better team than their league position suggests,’ said the Hooks Lane chief.

‘We certainly didn’t have things all our own way and had to work hard.

‘At times we needed to put in a very solid defensive performance against one of the most dangerous set of three-quarters we have played.

‘The main difference was the tremendous physicality we had and that was something they were unable to cope with.

‘We also proved far more ruthless than them when we got into attacking positions.

‘In recent years, Joel has offered our biggest threat in games.

‘This season we have got players all over the pitch who are dangerous and this creates even more space for him.

‘In many ways this was a complete performance because it had a little bit of everything.’

Havant had to show their defensive qualities from the start as Chobham were quick out of the blocks.

The visitors then broke out to open the scoring in their first visit into opposition territory.

Open-side wing-forward Joe Davis burst into the twenty-two and, following a quick ruck, hooker Jerome Trail forced his way over the line.

Chobham responded with a penalty but Havant once again showed their rutlessness by making their second attack pay.

Joel Knight made the initial break and outside-half Wayne John danced over for the try.

An additional penalty saw the visitors leading 17-6 at the break.

Joel Knight scored the first of his tries midway through the second half and winger Jay Wilkes added another.

Havant conceded an interception try before the centre grabbed his second with a trademark run through the home defence.

Will Knight added: ‘Although our three-quarters scored some good tries, the foundations were laid by our front five.

‘In the scrummage we had them going backwards all afternoon.

‘We also won the 50-50 battles because players were prepared to put their bodies on the line.

‘That gave us a lot of front-foot ball for our dangerous backs to exploit.

‘There is a confidence running through the team as we pick up more and more momentum.

‘The players are managing games better and showing they can adapt.

‘More and more they are playing the way they want to without relying on the coaches all the time.’