Portsmouth 19 – 48 Petersfield

Match report by Jim Dixon

Portsmouth kicked of this local derby on a warm sunny day at Rugby Camp. There was a bit of added spice to this match with Petersfield containing several former Portsmouth players. With the game swinging between the two 10 metre lines for the opening minutes Petersfield were first on the score board when Portsmouth were caught offside and ‘Field converted the penalty,thus taking a 0 – 3 lead 6 minutes into the match. The game was still swinging end to end and it was then Portsmouth’s turn to win a penalty on 16 minutes which was converted by Gareth Davies bringing the scores level at 3 apeice. Pressure from Portsmouth saw them take the game into the ‘Field 22 and from a scrum the ball was passed back to Gareth Davies who slotted a well taken drop goal giving them the lead 6 – 3 on 22 minutes. Portsmouth had a chance to further increase their lead when they were awarded a penalty just inside the 10 metre line but Davies’s kick just shaded the left hand post. Davies had a chance to make amends for his prevoius miss when Portsmouth were awarded a penalty having pressurised the ‘Field try line. This time the kick was successful and the lead was now 9 – 3 on 29 minutes. ‘Field were now beginning to get into their stride and a penalty against Portsmouth saw their scrum half take a quick tap penalty and dart under the posts for a try which was converted to give them back the lead 9 – 10 on 34 minutes. They were soon on the attack again when they won a scrum against the head and some slick passing in the 3’s saw them score wide out, The conversion missed and the score was now 9 – 15. This was followed by another ‘Field try taking their lead to 9 – 20 as the half time whistle went.

Petersfield got the second half underway and 2 minutes into the restart Davies was again on target with a well taken penalty, closing the gap to 12 – 20. 3 minutes later ‘Field were able to increase their lead with a try following some good handling in the 3’s,. the conversion took their lead to 12 – 27 on 52 minutes. 6 minutes later ‘Field were on the scoreboard again following a good 3’s move resulting in a converted try extending their lead to 12 – 34. Portsmouth then managed to put pressure on the opposition line and from a scrum they won good ball which saw No8 Aaron Beesley barge his way over for a good try which was converted by Davies making the score 19 – 34. with about 15 minutes remaining. ‘Field then hit back with another quick converted try by their 3’s taking the score to 19 – 41. This was followed by their final converted try taking the score to 19 – 48. Portsmouth were still fighting to get another score but a kick to touch by Field saw the Ref blow for full time,

The ‘Field 3’s put on a good show with plenty of pace and good backing up on the ball carrier but Portsmouth gamely battled on to the final whistle. Unfortunately there were a few too many missed tackles by the home side which certainly didn’t help their cause. This loss sees them slip down the League to 10th. place. Petersfield now top the table.with 3 wins and 1 draw.. Next weeks’ opponents are Old Georgians who beat Alton 27 – 11. They are now 2 places above Portsmouth with 2 wins and 2 losses.

Team:Adam Parks-Dare, Greg Hoolihan, Rhys Bowen.
Darren Crabb, Darren Leggott
Dan Perry, Anthony Fooks, Aaron Beesley.
Elliot Davis, Gareth Davies.
Connor Chalton, Lees Chandler, Dan Gates, Sam Olie.
Tim Weale.
Bench:Finn Parry, Sam Foster, Scott Weatherhead

Old Georgians 36 – 15 Portsmouth

Match report by Jim Dixon

Portsmouth travelled to Addlestone, Surrey, for this fixture. This is the first time they have played them at their home ground as the previous fixtures have been later in the season when they cannot use the College pitches. Portsmouth have previously played them at Ealing Trailfinders ground and Esher R.F.C. The surroundings at Addlestone were all rather sumptuous.

O.G’s got the game underway and Portsmouth were soon on the attack taking the game into O.G’s territory. A penalty against O.G’s resulted in a Portsmouth line-out close to the try line. From a catch and drive Portsmouth drove for the line for what seemed a good try but the referee ruled a double movement. The ball was laid back by the first carrier and picked up by a second player who touched down but the referee wouldn’t alter his decision. Shortly after this Portsmouth lost fly half Lee Chandler with a dead leg following a heavy no arms tackle which again was ignored by the official. Sam Olie came on to play fullback with Alisdair McDonald moving to No.10. The first try of the match came on 14 minutes with O.G’s scoring wide out following a scrum. The conversion missed with the score 5 – 0. Shortly after Portsmouth got themselves on the scoreboard following a good drive by second row Elliot Worrall taking the score to 5 – 5 on 25 minutes. O.G’s scored their second try on 32 minutes following good work by their 3’s. The conversion took the score to 12 – 5. This was followed by a 3rd try on just before half time taking their lead to 19 – 5. As half time approached Portsmouth put pressure on O.G’s and a loose ball was kicked upfield by winger Tom Hopkins who easily outpaced the opposition to touch down as the ball crossed the line, The conversion failed and the score was now 19 – 10 as the half time whistle went. Hopkins was easily the fastest player on the pitch and it was disappointing to note that this was his first real chance to stretch his legs.

Portsmouth got the second half underway and O.G’s were soon adding to their 1st half score line with a try through the 3’s out wide taking thew score to 24 – 10 on 43 minutes. Matt Hyde then came off to be replaced by Adam Parks-Dare. O.G’s scored their 4th. try on 52 minutes taking the lead to 29 – 10. Shortly after this Portsmouth then had 2 players yellow carded about 2 minutes apart. Following a penalty against Portsmouth for a high tackle, O.G’s kicked down field and from the line out scored another converted try taking their lead to 36 – 10 with about 10 minutes remaining. Hopkins then had to leave the field with hamstring problems. As the game edged to its final conclusion Portsmouth again mounted a good attack and following some excellent work by Anthony Fooks he managed to force his way over the line for a very well deserved try. A fitting reward for all the hard work he had put in during the game, With the score now 36 – 15 the final whistle came to end the game.
This was a disappointing performance by the visitors but like a lot of London Old Boys sides O.G’s are usually stronger at home with reasonable forwards but good backs.
Portsmouth’s main problem stems from lack of availability with 6 or 7 changes to the team every week, That’s not to say that they lacked effort but all too often the final pass was either dropped or didn’t reach the recipient. They probably gifted O.G’s 2 or 3 tries and missed a few themselves. On the whole O.G’s deserved their win but Portsmouth could have made the score line much closer.
Portsmouth stay in 9th. place with Alton, next weeks opponents in 10th. following their 32 – 26 loss away to Old Granleighans who are currently in 4th.place. Petersfield remain top following their 32 – 5 win against Basingstoke,


TEAM: Finn Parry, Greg Hoolihan, Matt Hyde,
Sam Foster, Elliott Worrall,
Dan Perry, Anthony Fooks, Rhys Bowen,
Elliott Davis, Lee Chandler,
Connor Chalton, Dan Gates, Alisdair Macdonald. Luke Peters,
Tom Hopkins.
BENCH:Adam Parks-Dare, Sam Olie, Matt Howes.

Portsmouth 7 – 34 Alton

Portsmouth had a disappointing day at Alton as that elusive first win still hasn’t happened with 34 – 7 loss putting them down to 11th. place on 3 points, just above next week’s opponents Basingstoke, who lost at home to Old Georgians 23 – 32 and are on 1 point and still winless. As a result of this win Alton move up to 9th.
Portsmouth got of to a reasonable start playing up the slope and into a cross wind. A good attacking move came to nothing when they were penalised for crossing, something that happened too often during the game. They had to defend for long periods in the first half as Alton pressed hard to score, but their defence held firm although Alton did manage to break through once only for their player to throw the ball forward as he dived over the line to score. Alton also had an opportunity to put points on the board with a penalty in front of the posts but the kick went wide. Portsmouth eventually got on the score board in the 35th. minute with a well taken try by Scott Weatherhead following some good work. Sam Foster was able to add the extras with a good touch line conversion and they took a 0 – 7 lead into half time.
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The second half saw Portsmouth playing down the slope and with a slight wind advantage but it was Alton who struck first with a converted try following some good work by their 3’s taking the score to 7 – 7. Portsmouth were having problems getting into their stride and Alton soon added an unconverted try giving them a 12 – 7 lead on 57 minutes. Again Portsmouth had to defend for long periods and when they did get close to the Alton try line often took the wrong option thus losing the opportunity. Even a quick taken tap penalty 5 metres from the try line got knocked on. It seemed as though they were trying too hard and having to play catch up which is not ideal when things aren’t going your way. With 12 minutes left Alton were awarded a penalty following another Portsmouth error which stretched their lead to 15 – 7 but this was not an insurmountable score line and they kept battling away but too many penalties didn’t help their cause. 75 minutes into the second half Alton further extended their lead with another converted try taking the score to 22 – 7. A further converted try extended the lead to 29 – 7 and this was followed with an unconverted try as the final whistle went , taking their lead to 34 – 7.

This was a game between 2 poor sides with Alton making the most of their opportunities unlike Portsmouth, Injuries to key players Mark Ovens and Sam Foster didn’t help their cause but neither did careless handling and passing. They must tighten up their play and stop giving so many penalties away, something that has dogged them for some time. It could be argued that 2 or 3 Alton tries should have been stopped by better action from the Official but they still did enough to deserve their win. The problems are not insurmountable by any means but only hard work can rectify them. Lets hope that next week brings a better result. Don’t forget that with the clocks changing next week’s game will kick off at 2.30 p.m. at Rugby Camp.


TEAM: Rhys Bowen, Brad Atkins, Adam Parks-Dare
Sam Foster, Elloit Worrall
Dan Perry, Anthony Fooks, Aaron Beesley.
Elloit Davis, Mark Ovens,
Scott Weatherhead, Tom Barker, Luke Peters
Sam Olie.

Bench:Matt Howes, Tom Smith, Rokilibau Ratu Rusiate.

Portsmouth 30 – 10 Basingstoke

Match Report by Jim Dixon

Portsmouth secured their first win of the season with an emphatic 2nd half display, playing against a strong wind, after finishing the first half leading 15  –  10.  It could also be said that both the Basingstoke tries came from Portsmouth mistakes, the first from missed tackles and the second from a rather bizarre moment which saw some very erratic handling in which the ball was knocked every which way until it was picked up by the Visitors who scored close to the touch line.  Portsmouth scores came from a good drive from the forwards which saw second row Max Clarke dive over to level the scores at 5 apiece.   Basingstoke then retook the lead with a well taken try after some missed tackles by Portsmouth taking the score to 5  –  10.  Again from strong a Portsmouth forwards drive to the line, scrum half Elliot Davis managed to make a good blind side break and just squeezed at the corner, bringing the scores level at 10 all. More pressure from Portsmouth saw a good kick from fly half Lee Chandler gathered by quick thinking winger Scott Weatherhead who beat the opposition to the touch down taking the score to 15  –  10 as the half time whistle went.
The second half saw Portsmouth playing into the strong head wind but they soon began to pressurize the visitors line with some good handling moves together with strong forward pressure which saw them set up a couple of mauls in which they drove them back 10 – 15 metres.  A good scoring chance came to nothing when the final pass was ajudged to have gone forward.  After defending their line for a period Portsmouth managed to break out and took the ball from one end to the other with some good handling and eventually the Fijian centre Risi scored his first try in Portsmouth colours,  extending the lead  to 20  –  10.   This gave Portsmouth their bonus point  with the 4th. try.  More pressure from Portsmouth was forcing Basingstoke to run from their own line and as they passed the ball along the backs quick thinking by Scott Weatherhead saw him intercept a pass and run through unapposed to score their 5th. try taking then lead to 25  –  10.  Basingstroke where soon back on the attack but Portsmouth were not letting them score this close to the final whistle and again some good defensive work saw them gain possession and again take the ball the entire length of the field and from a driving maul Max Clarke got his hands on the ball and dived over for the 6th. and final try as the whistle went to end the game.  
This was a much better performance in which the entire squad played a vital part, especially in the second half.   Second row Rob Gicquel also reached his  100th.league.  appearance.  Despite some changes in the squad the effort they all put in was very pleasing to the Coaches.  However this result will be best served if they can replicate the result next week away to Old Emanuel who now lie in 11th. place behind Portsmouth in 10th with 8 points  Old Emanuel lost to Old Georgians 64  –  19 and are on 5 points.

TEAM:-Rhys Bowen, Brad Atkins, Adam Parks-Dare.Rob Gicquel, Max Clarke.Dan Perry, Greg Hoolihan(C)  Aaron BeesleyElliot  Davis, Lee Chandler.Scott Weatherhead, Rokilibau Ratu Rusiate,  Dan Gates,  Luke Peters,Olie Samuel.
BENCH:-Ian French,  Anthony Fooks, Masirewa Vihame

Old Emanuel 29- 17 Portsmouth

Match report by Jim Dixon

From the kick off play was mainly contained between the two10 metre lines  as both teams fought for domination.  However it was the home team that came out on top in the early exchanges.  They gradually managed to dominate both the lineouts and scrums, although Portsmouth were able to secure the ball on their put ins they did so whilst going backwards thus giving their backs now real forward momentum which resulted in play taking part mainly in the Portsmouth 22 area.   The pressure enventually told and O.E’s got on the score board with a try close to the posts which was converted giving them a 7  –  0 lead after about 27 minutes.   Ian French came on to replace Rhys Bowen in the front row.  A penalty kick was squanderd by O.E’s and a second try was only prevented by solid defence by the visitors and the half time whistle went with the score 7  –  0 to the home side. 

The second half started with Lee Chandler having to be helped off the field as he was going in and out of consciousness and an ambulance was called to treat him.Bradley Jewer came non to replace him.   A good attacking move came to nothing when it all broke down as they closed on the O.E’s try line only to loose the ball and suddenly find themselves on the receiving end of a second O.E’s try which was converted, giving them a 14  –  0 lead after 2 or 3 minutes of the re-start.   However Portsmouth were not done yet and an excellent move by Bradley Jewer as he made a fantastic break, making good ground before passing to Sam Foster who then passed to Greg Hoolihan who score close to the posts. Hopkins converted and the score was now 14  –  7.   Jewer was on hand again to make another good break and he managed to gather his own kick ahead to out strip the opposition to score out wide taking the score to 14  -12.   A penalty against Portsmouth saw O.E’s extend their lead to 17  –  12.  Portsmouth were now on a bit of a roll and from a kick ahead by Luke Peters,  he managed to collect his own kick and outstrip the opposition  to score out wide taking the score to 17  –  17.   O.E’s then made a change at fly half in bringing on a player who hadn’t played for the all season but changed the shape of the game for O.E’s as he soon managed to dominate proceedings.  The result was that the game suddenly swung back in favour of the home side as he sidestepped his way through  Portsmouth players to score close to the posts taking their to 24  –  17.  O.E’s were soon scoring their 4th. try after some scrum pressure, taking the final score to 29  –  17 as the final whistle went.   

This was a very  disappointing performance by Portsmouth especially after last weeks second half display versus Basingstoke although it must be said that this team was stronger than Basingstoke,.   Portsmouth had opportunities to score but poor finishing or loosing the ball in contact   certainly didn’t help their cause.

Portsmouth have now slipped back to 11th. in the League on 8 points, with Old Emanuel in 10th. on10 points.  Petersfield still top the table despite a 25  –  12 loss away to Warlingham.  Old Cranleighans ,our next opponents , lost 7  –  36 away to Weybridge Vandels.   Portsmouth’s next match is in 2 weeks time as there are no League fixtures next week so they have a rest which will hopefully give time for some niggly injuries to improve,

TEAM: Rhys Bowen, Bradsley Atkins, Adam Parks-Dare,

Sam Foster, Max Clarke,

Anthony Fooks, Greg Hoolihan,  Aaron Beesley.

Elloit Davis, Lee Chandler,

Tom Hopkins, Rokilibau Ratu Rusiate, Masirewa Vihame,  Luke Peters

Suliasi Caucau.

Bench: Bradley Jewer,  Ian French, Dan Perry,

PRFC Senior Fixtures 2021-2022

The senior fixtures for the 2021-2022 season have been announced. Here’s a calendar for the 1st XV, 2nd XV, 3rd XV, Veterans, Valkyries 1st XV and Valkyries 2nd XV.

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First pre-match luncheon of the 2021/2022 season

After an absence of nigh-on 18-months, it’s time to celebrate the return to the beloved game by staging our first pre-match lunch of the new season! The date will be Saturday, 11th September when we host Gosport & Fareham RFC in a friendly at Rugby Camp. We would like this to be a rip-roaring occasion as we return to normality and it would be wonderful if we could pack the club with members, past and present!

We would love to see tables full of Valkyries, tables full of the Junior section, tables full of Vets and even Colts! Also, tables full of potential sponsors!

The day commences from 12noon when the bar will open and we will sit-down for lunch at 1230 to 1245pm. The match kick-off time is 3pm. The three-course meal (see menu below) costs £20 per head and will be cooked by our very own Jim Martin, an all-round good-egg and master chef!

It would be great to see you in your club blazers, ties, cravats or equivalents as we haven’t had an occasion to dress up for, for such a while!

Please contact THE Chalky White at hughwhite57@gmail.com or by phone/text on 07976 989 971 to book your place(s). Friends and family are welcome.

Menu

Vegetarian option

One city, one club!