Portsmouth 24 – 19 Ventnor
Danny Harris writes… A good win for the 2’s against Ventnor, 24-19 moving them deservingly up the table in Hampshire 1.Portsmouth started slowly with a series of cheap penalties leading to an early try for the visitors. Once Portsmouth got a hold of the game and played with some structure they quickly levelled up matters with a good try from Chris Hart (Ticker/Tipper). With both teams exchanging scores, a further try from the excellent Scott Weatherhead kept Portsmouth very much in the game. The latter stages were a tight affair (similar to the reverse fixture earlier in the season) with the visitors leading by 2 points with 2 minutes to play. Some great work from the forwards, lead to ball be spread wide with a wonderful pass from Danny Harris to go wide to Tommy Hare to score to much jubilation from the home side and their fans. All tries were converted by…
Portsmouth 33 – 7 Old Georgians
Jim Dixon writes… Portsmouth welcomed Old Georgians to Rugby Camp hoping to make amends for last weeks poor performance against Petersfield.The match was preceeded by a Memorial Lunch in honour of former Club Captain Steve Todd who tragically passed away last year. The lunch was attended by over 90 members, friends and family. After an excellent meal provided by former player Jimmy Martin there were 5 short but really poignant speeches from Club Members which provided a very emotional response from all present. Old Georgians got proceedings underway with a good crowd providing plenty of vocal support for the home side. Portsmouth soon showed their attacking intent and only a misjudged pass prevented the first score. Portsmouth actually then crossed the line but were deemed to have been held up. Eventually pressure told and they crossed for the first try through Elliott Worrall, showing good pace, and converted by Solanki…
Portsmouth 27 – 15 Alton
Jim Dixon writes… Portsmouth were intent on showing that last weeks good win over Old Georgians was no fluke. Playing with a stiff breeze at their backs, were soon pressing the visitors line. A penalty to Portsmouth was converted by Gareth Davies and Portsmouth were 3 – 0 up in just a couple of minutes. From the re-start No.8 Aaron Beesley made good ground before Alton were again penalised giving Davies a kick to touch 5 metres from the try line. Beesley again took the ball and made good ground before laying the ball back to be picked up by Brad Atkins who crossed for their first try. Davies’ conversion was true and they had a 10 – 0 lead on 7 minutes. Shortly after the re-start Davies again put in a good kick down field which bounced over the head of the defending winger, fortunately Luke Peters did what…
Trojans 30 – 19 Portsmouth
Jim Dixon writes… Portsmouth travelled the short distance to Eastleigh with a slightly changed side from last weeks victory. It was a cold and breezy day but at least the rain stayed away. Portsmouth kicked off and Trojans gathered the ball and kicked back down field. The ball was fielded by full back Jashan Solanki who started off on a rather tentative run. As he gathered pace and the opposition seemed to stand off him he broke through the defence and just kept on going until he was tackled inches away from the line but he managed to stretch out and place the ball over the try line. Chandlers conversion just missed and the led 0 – 5 with only a few minutes on the clock. From the restart Portsmouth were penalised for not releasing the tackled player and from the penalty Trojans narrowed the gap to 3 – 5…
Portsmouth II 15 – 49 Fareham Heathens
Mike Caspall writes… Portsmouth Casuals 15 Fareham Heathens 1st XV 49. Portsmouth started brightly and pinned the opposition deep in their own half for the first quarter, unfortunately the penalty count released the pressure and enabled Heathens to control the game, a solid kicking game using the elements should have been more rewarding but we let Heathens escape all too often. On the positive side good decision making kept the scoreboard ticking over in the first half, casuals battled hard with good spirit and won many collisions in mid field, we finished with flare and gusto and champagne rugby had the last word with two delightful passes one out the back door to cut the opposition to shreds and finish 15 to 49. We have an attacking threat and work rate to beat all in the league, improvement to our discipline will turn the screw and bring results, lots of…
East Grinstead Ladies 7 – 27 Valkyries 2nd Xv
Mark Witcher writes… East Grinsted went 7-0 up and we didn’t look back and against a strong breeze we scored two tries including one from Rebekah Hoffman who collected her own charge-down! The forwards won five scrums against the head causing the opponents to ask for uncontested scrums. In the second half, the backs had the wind behind them and gained confidence to let the ball get to the wings. East Grinstead were unbeaten before today’s match and this result has shown there is becoming a real strength in depth throughout the Valkyries squads.
Basingstoke 31 – 17 Portsmouth
Jim Dixon writes… On a bitterly cold and windy day Portsmouth travelled to Basingstoke with yet again a much changed side from recent weeks. Portsmouth had the wind at their backs in the first half but were soon defending as Basingstoke took the game to them despite playing into the elements. They were soon on the score board from a good attacking move resulting in a try close to the touch line, although there looked like a knock-on but the Referee let play go on. The kick missed and the score was 5 – 0 after a few minutes. From the restart Basingstoke were again on the Portsmouth try line but a penalty against them enabled Portsmouth to clear their line giving Basingstoke a line out on their 22 . Winning good line out ball they were soon able to set up another attack and crossed out wide. Again the…
Portsmouth 31 – 0 Old Emanuel
Jim Dixon writes… A comprehensive victory of 5 tries to nil saw Portsmouth make amends for last weeks lacklustre display against Basingstoke. On a very wet and windy day with the aftermath of Friday’s storm still being felt, Portsmouth had to change to the Vets pitch as their normal pitch was deemed unplayable. With a few changes to last weeks side it was hoped that they would put in a better performance and they certainly didn’t disappoint despite the weather conditions.O.E’s kicked off with the wind against them and Portsmouth were soon on the attack. Mark Ovens gathered the ball and put in a good touch kick down field giving O.E’s a lineout near the 10 metre line. Portmouth soon regained possession with Ovens making good ground before passing to full back Tom Hare who took the ball deep in to O.E’s territory before passing back inside but the pass…
Old Walcountians 24 – 14 Portsmouth
Jim Dixon writes… This was Portsmouth’s first trip to Banstead and as we walked out to the pitch we were confronted by an amazing view of the City of London’s dramatic skyline set against a rather dark sky as we looked down from our high vantage point. One of their older members remembered coming to Portsmouth, possibly in the 70’s and getting an 89 – 0 drubbing! There was a very strong and bitterly cold cross wind which rather swirled around giving neither side much of an advantage. O.W’s kicked off and Portsmouth gathered and took play up the slope towards the opposition goal line. When they lost the ball O.W’s were able to put the Portsmouth line under pressure but some good defence kept them at bay. A good kick upfield by Tommy Hare saw Portsmouth camped in the opposition half and the game rather swung between the two…
Portsmouth 0 – 31 Warlingham
Simon Newsham writes… Portsmouth were always going to be in a battle against second placed high flying Warlingham in London 3SW but coach Gareth Richards was dealt a rotten hand in the week building up to the game. Several Injuries and positive COVID cases meant Richards had to call on veterans Ian French and John Nichols into the front row, also into the front row came eighteen year old Exeter University student David Howorth for his first team debut at loosehead prop. Without a recognised scrum-half, winger Sam Olie stepped into the role and didn’t look out of place. Flanker Anthony Fooks had to sit this one out having had stitches to a facial injury at training on Tuesday. It was apparent from the first scrum that the hosts would struggle in the set piece with just seven minutes played Warlingham were awarded a penalty try when the Pompey scrum…