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…
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…
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…
Portsmouth v Trojans, Saturday 23rd September 2023, Counties 1 League match
Portsmouth 57-13 Trojans Match Report by Jim Dixon Portsmouth came onto the pitch through a tunnel formed by Portsmouth Under 10’s. Games between Portsmouth and Trojans have been close affairs recently and before that they were often our bogey side. Portsmouth had to make a few changes from last week with injuries and a few players crossing the Channel to watch England v Chile. Another noted difference is the recently re-vamped old clubhouse which has a well stocked bar and is open on every match day so that spectators can get drinks more easily than climbing upstairs. This has been led by former player Dave Thomas who is now Club Bar Manager and Events Co-ordinator. Trojans got proceedings underway and a penalty by Portsmouth gave Trojans and easy 3 points as the kick was almost in front of the posts close to the 22. This was after just a few…
Petersfield v Portsmouth, Saturday 16th September 2023, Counties 1 Hampshire
Match Report by Jim Dixon Petersfield 57 – 12 Portsmouth This season’s league started with an away trip up the A3 to Petersfield. Petersfield have managed to secure the services of two former National 2 players as player/coaches. Both were playing for Worthing last season who finished the league in 4th.place. Liam Perkins, No8, captain of Worthing last season, and Matt McClean, fullback last season and with one of the highest points tally’s in the league, Perkins also captained Hampshire last season. 5 minutes into the game and Petersfield opened the scoring with a converted try from a 5 metre line-out and catch and drive 7 – 0. Shortly after Sam Olie saved an almost certain try with an excellent tackle. As Petersfield recycled the ball more good defensive work by Portsmouth kept them out and eventually they won a penalty, enabling them to clear their lines. However the respite…
Portsmouth v Basingstoke, Saturday 9th September 2023, Pre-season friendly
Match report by Jim Dixon Portsmouth 17 – 22 Basingstoke This was the last of 4 pre-season warm up games. Basingstoke were in the same league as Portsmouth last season but have now been relegated to Counties 2 Hampshire. There were a few changes from last weeks loss to Brighton which was always the plan so that all squad players had a good run out prior to the season proper starting. For the first 15-20 minutes neither side were able to establish any authority on the match. Eventually it was Stoke who opened the scoring with a try out wide to take a 0 – 5 lead. From a penalty Stoke were able to kick to touch and set up a catch and drive from the line out, scored their 2nd try to take a 0 – 12 lead. Portsmouth managed to close the gap with a try by…