Chichester have targeted a top-four finish after putting an end to their losing run in some style.

Relieved Chi eased past Aylesford Bulls 35-17 at Oaklands Park to hang on to fourth spot in London One.

Having won eight of their first nine games as a newly-promoted side, Chi went into Christmas on the back of five successive defeats.

A four-try haul and impressive work from new fly-half Jamie Knowles ensured a winning start to 2010 in one of the few fixtures to beat the freezing temperatures.

Chi director of rugby Paul Colley said: “As a newly promoted side your initial target is to make sure you are not in the bottom two or three.

“But targets are adjusted during the season.

“My personal goal was to look for about fourth place and I think we are still aiming to be top four.

“We were never really looking to be promoted. That wasn’t part of our plan.

“We are pretty pleased where we are in our first season at this level. Top four would be a tremendous season.”

Craig Adfield, Moses Kasujja, Nick Blount and Liam O’Hagan scored Chi’s tries with the classy Knowles, previously with Leicester University, adding three conversions, two penalties and a superb drop goal.

Aylesford replied with an interception score and a try in the final seconds.

Colley added: “It wasn’t as easy a game as you might have expected. They have recruited quite heavily.

“We are just glad to get a win.

“We’ve been creating chances and scoring tries but when you go on a run of defeats it’s worrying.

“In our previous game against Chobham we scored two tries and lost 15-10 to five penalties.

“It was difficult to chastise the players when at least three of the penalties they kicked didn’t make any sense under the current laws.”

The first Saturday of 2010 was supposed to have been a busy one as sides played the games postponed due to snow just before Christmas.

Instead most games were again called off.

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