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…
Locksheath Pumas 2nd XV 19 – 19 Portsmouth Veterans
Tries were scored byTom RadbourneDaniel StonemanAlfie Oliver 2 conversions by Steve Clunie A fabulous game played in great spirits…with a very happy and keen ref Alfie Oliver who played 10 (and is 10 years old) was MOTM…he won the coveted prize of putting the shirts away!
Petersfield 26 – 0 Portsmouth
Portsmouth travelled the short distance to Petersfield on a grey Saturday afternoon but at least it wasn’t raining and blowing a gale. Portsmouth were still coming to terms with the fact that their talismatic skipper and hooker, Greg Hoolohan, would take no further part in this seasons campaign owing to a serious arm injury sustained in last weeks game against Weybridge Vandals. His place was taken by Bradley Atkins who has been in the squad for some time. Portsmouth got proceedings underway and Petersfield collected and set up an attack which was eventually stopped but not before they had made ground into the Portsmouth 22.After about 4 minutes they scored wide out following a good crosskick which was caught by their winger who scored out wide. The conversion was successful and the score was 7 – 0. Petersfield were soon on the attack again and from a scrum on the…
Portsmouth 14 – 24 Weybidge Vandals
Match Report by Jim Dixon This was a game between 2nd from top and 2nd from bottom and what a game it was despite the attrocious conditions. The Referee decided that the 1’s pitch was unplayable so we moved to the Vets pitch which was marginally better. Although it was windy at least the rain, for the most part, stayed away until the final few minutes. This was Portsmouth’s first game sine the victory over Old Cranleighans on 11th.November as the following weeks game v Trojans was postponed due to Covid which was a great pity as they were looking forward to that match to keep the momentum going. Portsmouth played into a cross wind and were soon on the attack, keeping Weybridge deep in their half. Following a good touch kick from Gareth Davies and a hard run from No.8 Aaron Beesley Portsmouth crossed for what they thought was…
Portsmouth 36 – 5 Old Cranleighans
Match Report by Jim Dixon Prior to the match Portsmouth kicked off proceedings with a very well attended Presidents Lunch enjoyed by all who attended with an excellant Christmas Dinner prepared by former 1st.XV player Jimmy Martin. Portsmouth welcomed Old Cranleighans to Rugby Camp for the first time for a few seasons with the news that Head Coach Gareth Richards was having to isolate at home due to Covid as were his other coaches. Old Cranleighans got proceedings under way and Portsmouth were straight on the attack taking the ball deep into O.C’s territory. A Portsmouth pass was intercepted by O.C’s but they knocked on giving a penalty to Portmouth. From the ensuing lineout a good run from Apisai Deucu in which he took several defenders with him, saw O.C’s give away a penalty and a further 10 metres for back chat. A line out on the 5 metre line…
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…