23 February 2008
Pompey Vets 12 – 17 Bognor
3rds
Another Saturday began full of hope and expectation but unfortunately the Welsh
won again.
Leon Reilly’s final game before he departs for Dubai was a tight one, the
Bognor three-quarters were tidy players and their influence was the deciding
factor in this game, we were hoping to play Southampton’s vets but never
mind, a game is a game. Our thanks go to Jon Whitehouse because without him
stepping in at the last minute to referee the game we would have been watching
Leon was handed the captaincy for this his last match and quickly made his team
selection, with Andy Lewis at ten, Leon himself and Bruce Collins in the
centre, on the wings were Dougie Campbell and Simon Newsham with the
outstanding Dave Ladd at full back. There were also some forwards who were left
to sort themselves out.
It was good to welcome back Paul Grainger to the fold and to say hello to new
boy Doug Elvy who began on the bench as backs replacement.
The Bognor backs were full of running and the Pompeys defence were soon into
tackle mode, the
Pompey were winning all their lineout ball and from one of these Andy Lewis
spotted the defence were flat and put in a deft chip over the top for Reilly to
run onto, supported by Collins and Bullard, Reilly was tackled and a good
chance was snuffed out. Lewis again saw space and put up a garryowen for
Newsham to chase, having caught the ball he was hit hard by his opposite number
and to add insult to injury was adjudged offside by referee Whitehouse. The
wing found it impossible to continue with a back injury and Doug Elvy came on
for his Vets debut.
Bognor went further ahead with another try to make it 10-0 but It was still all
Portsmouth possession and the forwards were winning the battles up front, Geoff
Bullard and Bungle in amongst it and Happy Highgate also putting in some hard
work although it was noted that Gentleman Geoff kicked the ball for touch, a
heinous crime for a forward especially as the ball remained in play.
Caspall was in the wars and had to come off for a bleeding nose, Stuart Bradley
replacing him until he was fit to return just before half-time. Pompey surged
into the visitors twenty-two and battered their opponent’s try-line until
eventually
A change at half-time saw Pauls Grainger and Gandy enter the fray, this gave
the forwards a new line-up with Chalky forced out to the left wing, it was
White who chasing a lost cause forced an error from the Bognor full back,
Chalky found himself on the left touchline three yards from the goal-line and
with only inches to work in, he slipped the ball out of the back of his hand
for Bungle to collect and taking two defenders with him touched down in the
corner.
"Happy days" thought the home supporters and players but referee
Whitehouse thought otherwise. His assumption that Chalky and Bungle combining
for a try so far upfield there just had to be some shenanigans involved, only
he can tell you why he disallowed it.
Bognor broke away for a converted try to make it 17-5 but the fighting spirit
of the home side wasn't broken, the hosts spent long periods in the Bognor
twenty-two and a driving maul resulting in a scrum to Portsmouth with forced a
second Pompey score, the scrummage was driven over the line and Paul Gandy
dived on the ball to make it 12-17. Plenty of hard work and tackling continued
but
A disappointing result but a good game and some good cheesing afterwards, some
of the wine was a little on the dodgy side and proof that players obviously
don't read their emails too closely.
Mike Caspall to Yorkie Smith..."did you bring Italian wine"? ......YS
"yes it's here".......MC "the one with produce of
Please give your availabilities to M&M for next week, a social announcement
will no doubt follow.
Simon Newsham