Veterans Match Report Sat 29^th March 2008

Pompey Vets 30 – 0 Millbrook 2nds

By Simon Newsham

A solid first half performance on a windy afternoon at Rugby Camp, five unconverted tries put Pompey into a commanding lead but it had its price, Bruce Collins limped off as did Doug Elvy with a calf problem forcing Chalky White out into his now accustomed wing position.

With regulars on the injury list of Bungle, Haggis, Gandy, Campbell, Hodges and Newsham it was good to see Steve Cameron and Mark Borrowdale fit, the forwards were bolstered by the return of Mark Davies whose partnership with Keiran Godkin and Geoff Bullard in the back row ensured Millbrook would not pass the gainline.

Roger Sellars turned up looking for twenty minutes but got eighty and this will no doubt contribute to his stamina on the impending tour, he was very ably supported by evergreen Gavin Hindle and Dave Yorkie Smith in the front row. 

Dave Ladd got a brace of tries to continue in his rich vein of form and vets debutant centre Ian Kirby added another for the Portsmouth backs.
The impressive "Gentleman" Geoff Bullard went over for the forwards and another long-range Mike Caspall score sealed the first half.
Well that’s what I was told; If it's any different please feel free to embellish this report with your own memories because in true Kieran Godkin style I didn't turn up until the second half.

The second period saw a fightback from Millbrook but big tackling from the Portsmouth back row stopped them from ever really threatening Pompeys line, the engine room of Highgate and Whitehouse kept the pack trundling along and ultra mobile utility player Yorkie Smith was making his own mark on the game with several breaks down the wings supported by Borrowdale, Ladd and Kirby.

Midway through the half a dummy from Caspall at the base of a ruck put Steve Cameron clean away, like a vintage Bentley he powered through the Millbrook defence and only having to fall over to score the try he looked outside him and put in the left winger for what could prove to be the easiest try of his career. Yorky narrowly missed the extra two points but the wind was making kicking difficult.

Pompey continued to make all the running and should have had a further score when Dave Ladd broke from deep in his own half skipping through three tackles and with only the full back to beat he chose to take him rather than the easy option which would have seen Chalky White gallop in for his second of the afternoon. With the final whistle looming Chalky was harshly adjudged to be in touch when he popped the ball to Smith who collected his pass and would have scored but alas it was not to be and the game ended at 30-0 to Portsmouth.

A good foundation with which to go into a weekend on the English Riviera so let’s hope that all the injuries clear up, Caspall and Bailey would like to be able to pick from as many fit players as possible.

Simon