Chichester claimed a Trophy semi-final place and spoiled their old rivals' birthday party.

But then Bognor can claim to have built an unlikely promotion push on the back of two league wins over nearby Chi.

And that just about sums up arguably the biggest rivalry in Sussex club rugby.

You can never really win when it's Bognor versus Chichester. You just score more points than the other team. Until the next time.

It's a civilised rivalry but rivalry all the same. Chi won 13-7 at Hampshire Avenue in Saturday's quarter final of the Greene King Sussex Trophy and duly celebrated.

Then they drew mighty Worthing away in the semis and Bognor possibly raised a glass to whoever pulled the names out of the hat.

The hosts were marking their 40th anniversary on Saturday and were fired up by a pre-game talk from founder playing member Barry Mitchell, father of current skipper Nigel.

Bognor No.8 Karl Flynn, who missed the game with a neck injury, admitted: "It was supposed to be the perfect day. We beat the old enemy in a quarter-final and then have a big celebration.

"It was still a good night by all accounts. You love to beat Chichester. You see their people when you're shopping or in town and it gives you extra pride.

"I still think Chichester would rather have the two league victories. Neither club is going to win the cup."

Chi skipper Richard Johnson said: "This win has put us back on track.

"We've got players coming back from injury and we will look to win our last four league games.

"Is it a friendly rivalry? Yes and no.

"I played for Bognor at mini rugby level and a couple of their players are really good friends of mine.

"After the game you can have a laugh and a chat about it but you could see some of Bognor boys were really gutted to lose."

Another former Bognor player, flanker Justin Glue, was named Chi man-of-the-match on his debut.

That was despite being sin-binned, along with fellow debutant Matt Sleep, as Bognor staged a late rally which brought a Tom Spurle try superbly converted by Dave Sweeney.

Chi were hanging on after that but were delighted to complete a win clinched by the most unlikely of pushover tries.

Winger Ed Armah, all 11 stone of him, got over with the help of a shove from his 13-and-a-half stone skipper.

Prop John Stacey also scored from a driving maul to add to a penalty by Scott Carter, the only score of the first half.

So how was that tryless first period? "Tight, a typical derby," said Johnson with a bit of enthusiasm.

"Very scrappy," grumbled Flynn.

And that is as close as you will get to the old enemy agreeing.