Petersfield 26 – 0 Portsmouth

Petersfield 26 – 0 Portsmouth

Portsmouth travelled the short distance to Petersfield on a grey Saturday afternoon but at least it wasn’t raining and blowing a gale. Portsmouth were still coming to terms with the fact that their talismatic skipper and hooker, Greg Hoolohan, would take no further part in this seasons campaign owing to a serious arm injury sustained in last weeks game against Weybridge Vandals. His place was taken by Bradley Atkins who has been in the squad for some time.

Portsmouth got proceedings underway and Petersfield collected and set up an attack which was eventually stopped but not before they had made ground into the Portsmouth 22.
After about 4 minutes they scored wide out following a good crosskick which was caught by their winger who scored out wide. The conversion was successful and the score was 7 – 0. Petersfield were soon on the attack again and from a scrum on the Portsmouth 22 their No.7 took the ball and touched down close to the posts. The conversion was secured and they now led by 14 – 0 on 10 minutes. From the re-start Petersfield ran back their 3rd try taking the score to 19 – 0. Their 4th try came shortly after with the conversion going over off the crossbar taking the score to 26 – 0 on 20 minutes. Portsmouth were having problems getting into the rhythym of the game and had played in their half for most of the time, Another Petersfield attack lead to a scrum about 5 metres from the visitors try line and as Petersfield drove for the line the scrum collapsed with a very anguished cry coming from the Portsmouth pack. The scrum broke up and as players got to their feet it was apparent that, Club-Captain,  Adam Parks-Dare was the player in trouble. It transpired that he had sustained a serious leg injury that would need hospital treatment as an ambulance had been called. He was covered in coats and a thermal blanket whilst waiting for the ambulance to arrive. The game was then in the process of being moved to the adjoining pitch as both sets of players had retired to the changing rooms. However so serious was the injury that both sets of forwards felt they had no real incentive to continue and the game was officially abandonded, to be played at a later date. Shortly after this it was announced that the League Officials had declared that the result should stand as Petersfield has got thier 5 points. By now Adam was in the ambulance and still being treated before going to hospital, Portmouth must feel that luck has deserted them this season what with the loss last week of Greg Hoolihan now followed by prop Adam Parks-Dare. who has played an important part in this season’s campaign.


Portsmouth will have to regroup for next week’s home fixture against Old Georgians which is being preceeded by a Memorial Lunch in honour of former 1st.XV captain Steve Todd who sadly passed away last year.


On a brighter note it was great to see Portsmouth President Peter Golding, make a very welcome appearance at the match following a long absence from the touchline due to a lengthy illness. Let’s hope that we will see him much more frequently at our matches.