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…
Weekend review 30th Sept/1st Oct
By Simon Newsham On Saturday the First XV had a cracking 14 – 42 win at Alton, see Jim Dixons report on the news page. The Casuals entertained the Isle of Wight narrowly losing 27-32 with the final play of the match. Tries from Aaron Beasley, Ali Macdonald, Scott Weatherhead and Ryan Bosher. On Sunday The Valkyies were in RFU Intermediate Cup action against Hove who play in Womens Champion SE division two. This is a couple of steps higher up than our ladies. So you can imagine the delight of the Valks coming out on top 31-24 in really close match. A brace of tries from wing Katie Wadeson, one each from Georgie Harris, Meg Jones and a first ever try for second row Amy Hanks was a highlight for the supporters. Two Conversions by Nancy Lismore and one from Chloe Stopard put the girls in the hat for…
Alton v Portsmouth, Saturday 30th September 2023, Counties 1 Hampshire
Alton 14 – 42 Portsmouth Report by Jim Dixon Portsmouth had to make several changes to last week’s team due to absence and injury although they did have Simon Morgan back for his first League start following treatment on his achilles tendon, a problem that he had from the end of last season. Portsmouth played into the wind on pitch that no matter which way you ran, always seemed uphill. Alton kicked off and Portsmouth gathered and made a good touch kick. Alton won the resultant line out and kicked the ball towards the Portsmouth goal line but Will Dalziel was able to get back and kick the ball over the dead ball line. This gave Alton a 5 metre scrum and they broke on the blind side and scored the first try close to the posts. The kick was converted and their lead was 7 – 0. From the…
U15’s v Basingstoke
The U15s had their first league game today against Basingstoke at home. An amazing performance and a 37-21 win for the Portsmouth boys. A hat trick for full back Jamie Morgan, two tries by Fly Half Rhys Arnott a try each for Logan Lavery and Max Dixon.
U14’s v East Grinstead, Friendly , Away
The U14’s had their first friendly fixture of the season, travelling to East Grinstead. Where they were welcomed by their chairman who also refereed the match. On the pitch the boys started the season with the same kind of intensity they finished their U13’s campaign. Playing fast, free-flowing rugby and not allowing their opponents any space in defence or attack. The relentless pressure meant Portsmouth winning 54-0 against a spirited East Grinstead side who never gave up or let their heads drop. Unsurprisingly there were some magnificent performances across the squad, but a special mention has to go to Arthur who the opposition voted player of the match in his very first club rugby match. There was a sense of poignancy as it is three years since the tragic death of East Grinsteads head coach Police Sergeant Matt Ratana, the club have installed a permanent memorial, silhouette of Matt overlooks the…