Chichester skipper Ben Polhill admits relegation from the regional divisions was just the slap in the face his club needed.

Now they are bouncing back with such spirit that they thumped local rivals Bognor 21-3 in the Intermediate Cup for what must rank as one of their most enjoyable results in years.

Polhill, 22, took over the reins in the summer after his side had been demoted to Sussex One, winning just four of 18 league games.

Chi have come storming back this term with wins in their first three league games to set the early pace with Horsham in Sussex One.

But Polhill admits last week's cup supershow at Bognor was the display which really stood out.

He said: "I know our priority is the league but that goes out of the window when you have got your local rivals in a cup tie.

"It was a really big match for us. They beat us in all three games last season and that was embarrassing for us.

"Everyone really wanted to win this time. You could feel it in the changing room before the game.

"It was Bognor's vice presidents' day so there were a lot of people at the game and it was a lovely feeling when we came off afterwards."

That result sent Bognor into a major re-shuffle before today's London Four South East clash at Eastbourne.

Chichester are operating with the same personnel as last year but, according to their young skipper, a very different approach.

Polhill, who works in the planning department at Chichester council, said: "It's all down to attitude.

"We have a young and fairly talented side and there were 27 there for training on Tuesday. "That doesn't only give competition for places. It also means the coach can do something worthwhile with the players.

"It may change if we stop winning but at the moment players want to come down to the club on training nights."

Chi faced a tough test at Heathfield today and go to Horsham early next month.

Polhill admitted those were the sort of games which would test his side's strength and his own captaincy skills.

Apart from colts and schools rugby, Polhill had no previous captaincy experience but is enjoying the challenge.

He said: "The players are making it easy for me. At the moment it's a nice experience but there will be stages of the season when it gets harder.

"Relegation last season was the slap in the face we needed. All the sides who have gone down in recent seasons seem to have changed attitudes and bounced back.

"It did us a world of good. We needed to realise we weren't as good as we thought. Bognor are a good example of what can happen. They went down, then straight back up and almost got promoted last season.

"Hove and Eastbourne did the same. It gives you a chance to re-group, give the young guys a game and come back stronger."