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…
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…
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…
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…