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…
Weekend Update 24th-25th September 2023
By Simon Newsham The first XV hosted Trojans on Saturday watched by a large crowd in the sunshine and ably supported by our U10s who acted as mascots for the day including a coaching session. A comfortable 57-13 victory was racked up with nine tries and nine different scorers. Each home league game will be preceded by a lunch and a different age group of juniors will be guard of honour for the first team. In other games the Seconds went down 50 points to 16 at Fareham Heathens the Valkyries 2s were postponed when Poole couldn’t raise a side due to illness and injuries. However, the Valks firsts went to Bristol on Sunday to play Dings Crusaders and came away with a 29-29 draw after a last gasp penalty try courtesy of the hosts. The ladies fought back from 29-17 down, tries from Kat Burianova, Katie Wadeson and Nancy…
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…
Brighton II v Portsmouth, Pre-season Friendly, Sat 2nd September 2023
Match Report by Jim Dixon Portsmouth travelled to Brighton for their penultimate pre-season warm up match. This was going to be their toughest fixture to date, especially as it transpired that Brighton had 5 or 6 players who had been hoping to take part in their 1st.XV match against Bracknell which was being played at Brighton. Portsmouth kicked off and were soon putting Brighton under pressure. The forwards got a good drive going towards the Brighton line but the ref deemed the ball to have been held up. Shortly after, a quickly taken tapped penalty by Portsmouth saw the ball spun wide and Connor Charlton crossed for the first try of the match. Tom Sanderson was on target with the conversion and Portsmouth led 0 – 7 with about 20 minutes gone. Portsmouth has a chance to increase the lead with a penalty but the kick drifted wide. Another try…
Portsmouth Squad vs Hampshire Police Squad, Thursday 24th August 2023
Portsmouth 50 – 7 Hampshire Police Match Report by Jim Dixon
WALKING RUGBY AT PORTSMOUTH RFC
The next session will be on Wednesday, 30th August at 7pm at Rugby Camp. Before you look to participate, please message John Vaughan on 07881 383 387 to confirm your attendance and then turn up suitably attired on the day. WHAT IS IT? Walking Rugby is one of England Rugby’s non-contact formats of the game. There is no tackling involved, instead a touch on the armpit or below are used. Played on a half pitch, participants must be walking at all times. WHO CAN PLAY? Walking Rugby can be played by everyone men and women; however, it is generally played by older players (55+). All skill levels can play together. WHAT TO EXPECT? A welcoming, laid back, social environment is the core experience of all Walking Rugby sessions. Players should arrive dressed for the playing conditions and introduce themselves to John and Paul when they arrive. Each session is…
Portsmouth Squad v United Services Squad
Match Report – Preseason Friendly Friday 18th August – by Jim Dixon Portsmouth Squad v United Services Squad under floodlights Portsmouth 24 – 7 United services Portsmouth got their first pre-season ‘friendly’ underway at Rugby Camp, under floodlights. U.S opened the scoring with a converted try but Portsmouth soon hit back with a couple of tries, one of which was converted to lead 12 – 7 at the end of the first session. The second session got underway with both teams changing their personnel. Portsmouth were soon back on the scoreboard with an unconverted try to lead 17 – 7. This was followed with a converted try to take the lead to 24 – 7. The game then came to a rather unexpected end when following a U.S attack in which the ball carrier was tackled, the two players were embroiled in a bit of ‘handbags’ and one of the…
PORTSMOUTH RFC – ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING 2023 – TUESDAY 4th JULY
Fellow members Second Calling notice – Portsmouth Rugby Club – AGM 2023 – Tuesday 4th of July at 20:00 The meeting will begin at 8:00 on Tuesday 4th of July and members are requested to sign in by 7.45 The agenda is as below Herewith the Agenda for the meeting. 1. Attendance and apologies2. Minutes of AGM July 2022.3. Chairman’s Report4. Financial Report and Appointment of Independent Examiners 5. 1st team Captain’s address 6. Player’s Rep. Address7. Election of Officers. Nominations President N. Morgan Chairman J Whitehouse Vice Chairmen S Cameron /M Caspall Hon Treasurer M. Twells DOR TBC Hon Sec C Richardson House Manager J Dixon / D Knight Players representatives: TBC Media & Development Simon Newsham Junior Section Gemma Skinner Women’s DOR…