New Milton vs Portsmouth, Saturday 25th November 2023
Match Report by Jim Dixon. Portsmouth travelled through the New Forest for this re-arranged fixture with New Milton, cancelled earlier due to a wet pitch. As I was driving down to the game I was thinking of the last time I had been here which was probably playing for the Vets. I then realised that that was over 30 years ago so no wonder I couldn’t remember the way! In those days the Vets played every week and if we had a cancelled game John Smith, who was not only Vets Capt. but also the club fixture secretary, so he always made sure we got a fixture. We played New Milton, Worthing and Tottonians more frequently than any other team but that is for another day! As this was meant to be a blank Saturday some of the 1’s players had made other arrangements so it was a rather different…
Portsmouth vs Bognor, Saturday 18th November 2023
Portsmouth 12 Bognor 36 By Simon Newsham The change of venue to a home fixture because Bognor is currently under water should have given us a bit of an advantage, however, Bognor came flying out of the blocks and took the lead after just three minutes. Their forwards are big and quick they tore through the Pompey defence scoring under the posts. The game settled into a midfield scrap, Bognor using the wind and kicking deep while Portsmouth tried to run it out of their own half. There was a hopeful attack in the ninth minute but a knock on gave the ball away and Bognor launched another attack, the ball was turned over by Lee Chandler but was adjudged to knocked it on. The resulting scrum ten metres from the Pompey line saw the scrum half dummy and slip past Tom Sanderson, offloading to the right where a Bognor…
Portsmouth v Bournemouth 2nds, Saturday 11th November 2023
Portsmouth took on Bournemouth 2nds on a very still day but at least it was not raining. The game was preceeded with a minutes silence with both teams lining up in front of the Clubhouse, in recognition of former Club President Peter Golding who sadly passed away peacefully in his sleep on Wednesday night. This was followed by a minutes applause by players and spectators alike. Portsmouth got proceeding underway and Bournemouth straight away took the game to Portsmouth with a series of attacks until they eventually knocked on giving Portsmouth a scrum. From the scrum the ball went to Tawanda Matipano who made good ground before passing to Anthony Fooks who scored out wide, Gareth Davies was on target with the conversion and they led 7 – 0. with about 7 minutes gone. A lineout to Bournemouth following the restart saw them set up a good attack and suddenly…
Dr. Richard Tyrrell
We’re extremely sad to announce the untimely passing of Dr Richard Tyrrell! Dr Dick was a stalwart of the club and will be missed by everyone 💛 Our thoughts and prayers are with Cathy and all the family 🖤
Weekend review 21st/22nd October 2023
Bt Simon Newsham As the dust settles on Rugby World Cup semi final weekend or not, as every refereeing decision is pulled apart by the media we can take a look at how the club got on. The first xv got back to winning ways with a splendid home win against Havant ii (see Jim Dixons match report). There’s a couple of weeks break now for rest and recuperation, some injuries and tired muscles will get a bit of reprieve. Meanwhile at Hooks Lane the Casuals went down by thirty points to eight despite having been all square at half time they were overpowered in the second period. The Vets travelled to Fawley where we can only assume they won 76-0. Sunday saw The Valkyries first team travel deep into Gloucestershire to Chipping Sodbury where they notched up a fine 38-0 away win, opening up a clear four point gap…
Portsmouth v Havant 2, Saturday 21st October 2021, Counties 1 Hampshire
Match report by Jim Dixon Portsmouth 18 – 11 Havant 2 This is a truly local derby with Havant holding the bragging rights following 2 wins last season. However, this is a different side to last year with a much more cohesive feel about it. They also communicate well with each other on the pitch and are playing much more as a team, supporting each other. Havant won the toss and kicked off. Portsmouth managed to knock on giving Havant a scrum just outside the Portsmouth 22. For the next 10 -15 minutes Portsmouth were forced to defend but this they did very well, keeping their line intact. Portsmouth were then able to set up an attack of their own and through some good handling in the backs took the game into the Havant 22 with a good run by Kallen Wilke which was only stopped by a desperate last…
Weekend Review 14th/15th October 2023
By Simon Newsham It was a tough weekend for the senior men, the firsts went down 18-13 at Andover bringing an end to their excellent winning start to the season (see Jim Dixon’s match report). At Rugby Camp the Casuals suffered the agony of a last minute defeat to Andover 2s going down 21-27 whilst the Third XV also at home lost narrowly by eight points to twelve against Fareham Heathens. No fixtures for the Valkyries last weekend but this Sunday league leaders the first xv are away at Chipping Sodbury in NC1 South West E. Meanwhile the seconds will host Trojans Ladies at Rugby Camp. Some of the Mini section went to Alton for a coaching session, massive thanks to Alton for hosting us on a glorious sunny morning. I only have two reports from the juniors and that was the U13s who went away to Eastleigh and despite…
Andover v Portsmouth, Saturday 14th October 2023, Counties 1 Hampshire
Match report by Jim Dixon Andover 18 – 13 Portsmouth Portsmouth travelled to Andover for their 5th League match. Not the easiest pitch to play on with a slope running to length of the pitch towards the clubhouse. Portsmouth had to make changes to the side that played last week and had a completely new front row. They also welcomed Kallen Wilke for his debut 1st XV appearance having impressed last week for the 2’s.It was a colder day than last week with a stuff breeze blowing down the pitch.Portsmouth lost the toss and had to play down hill in the first half. With the benefit of the slope Portsmouth soon had Andover defending their line. A couple of penalty kicks ,the first of which just fell short of the posts and the second actually hit the upright but bounced back into the field of play but Portsmouth were able…
Weekend Review 7th/8th October 2023
By Simon Newham The First xv left it late against Eastleigh at Rugby Camp (see Jim Dixons report) but it was a fantastic end to a second period which we spent entirely in Eastleighs half of the pitch. The Casuals won 76-0 away to Eastleigh with tries from, Ryan Bateman, Kallen Wilke, Hywel Gronow, Harry Drew, Henrie Thorne all with a try each. Henry Gill and Sam Witt with a brace and a hat-trick for Matt Austin. Hywel Gronow also added eight conversions, as one of the Colts stepping up in the second xv along with Henrie Thorne, Sam Witt and Gronow himself played well. All three stepped up for their first senior game and they all put in a great shift. Well done, it’s great to see the transition between colts and seniors gelling together nicely. I’d love to give you a report from the Under 10’s at New Milton…
Portsmouth v Eastleigh, Saturday 7th October 2023, Counties 1 Hampshire
Portsmouth 31 – 22 Eastleigh Match Report by Jim Dixon It was an ideal day for a game of rugby, the sun was out, it was warm with only a gentle breeze blowing down the pitch. There was 1 enforced change to the selected side. Tawanda Matipano had to drop out due to family reasons. His place was taken by Will Dalziel who was moved from the wing to fullback. Harvey Field came off the bench to play on the wing and Brad Jewer was moved from the 2’s to the 1’s bench.We were all expecting to see a continuation of the last two performances with slick passing and good interplay between backs and forwards but, alas, that didn’t happen. What we had was a rather disjointed performance for the most part with passes not always going to hand or not being held by the recipient. In part this was…