100-Club
The winners of the June draw were: Mark Witcher – £50 and Jacqui Bailey – £30. To sign up and be included in the draw for July and have a chance of winning the £50 first prize or £30 second prize, contact Pete Smout on 07760 400 690 or email petesmout@hotmail.com for more information. The cost is £3 per month or an annual one-off payment of £36.
TOUCH-JUDGES REQUIRED FOR SEASON 2023/2024
For many years now, retired PRFC Vets have been running the line for all 1st XV’s matches, home and away. These ageing dinosaurs require some fresh young blood to come in and supplement their numbers and if you are a former player and would like to give something back to the club, please volunteer to join our merry band from next season. At the moment, touch-judges attend three matches each a season but obviously, with more numbers, this could reduce to one or two Saturdays. If you can spare a couple of Saturdays from September to March, please contact John Vaughan on 07881 383 387.
Reflections on season 2022/2023 by Matt Wake – Head Coach
As I sit and reflect on the last season of rugby at the camp I’m reminded why I coach . It’s the people, always the people. I’ve met tremendous people at Portsmouth and have been and continue to feel enormously welcomed. I’m still in awe of the number of volunteers that all do something, either large or small so that 15 blokes (and ladies) can chase an egg shaped bag of wind round a muddy field in the freezing cold. I’m pleased to have been able to support the development of the players with a number of colts and senior players receiving county call ups this year. The business end for me is training the team and performances on Saturdays. We’ve been buoyed by some great numbers and engagement at training and some top end performances in home victories against Basingstoke, petersfield and Eastleigh – but if I could bottle…
HAMPSHIRE RECOGNITION FOR u17’s PLAYERS
Congratulations to Portsmouth RFC players, Edward Frazer and Henrie Thorne (No’s 4 & 1 shirts), who made their debuts for Hampshire under 17’s away at Surrey on 14th May. Despite losing 26-24, the new-look Hampshire squad were playing together for the first time and could have won the match! Also represented, was Will Balch (No 14 shirt), son of one of PRFC’s main sponsors and former player, Mick Balch of L&S Waste, who was representing Ryde School on the Isle of Wight. Well done also to PRFC under 15’s player Teddy Skinner who once again represented London Irish under 15’s in their match against Bristol Bears on the 14th.
RICKY LIDBETTER – PRESENTATION
After sixteen seasons, Ricky Lidbetter has decided to step down from his role as club physiotherapist to devote his time and efforts to his growing commercial practice and young family. During his tenure, Ricky looked after the senior men’s 1st XV but also provided cover for all our senior teams. He will be missed! Earlier this month, club president, Nigel Morgan, presented Ricky with a glass tankard as a token of our gratitude for all his hard work and time over the years.
1st TEAM PITCH – SUMMER MAINTENANCE
The 1st XV pitch is out of action until further notice while Portsmouth Council undertake routine maintenance. Please do not cross the pitch but go around it instead. If there is training or matches, no players are to use this pitch, either to play on or to get to another pitch. The club is paying for this work and we don’t want to waste our money!!
Carol Moulding – RIP
It is with great sadness that Portsmouth Rugby Club inform you of the death of Carol Moulding, wife of Derek Moulding who played for us in the 70’s and early 80’s, who died this morning after a long illnes
Portsmouth vs North Dorset, Papa Johns Community Counties 1 Plate Competition Round 1, Saturday 1st April 2023
Portsmouth 15 – 17 North Dorset Match Report by Jim Dixon With all the recent rain it was only the Vets pitch that was deemed playable, and that was only after a concerted effort by Club Members who forked the puddled areas to get rid of standing water. Despite heavy rain before the warm up began it remained dry and breezy for the remainder of the afternoon.The surface was, however, very muddy and it was obviously going to be a day for the forwards.With both teams making changes to their usual starting XV’s it was Portsmouth that got proceedings underway, playing with a steady breeze behind them.They went straight into attack mode and camped themselves deep in the Dorset half. Connor Charlton made good ground after catching a Dorset clearance kick. His pass to Brad Jewer saw the winger have a good run before passing to the supporting Fooks who…
End of season awards 2022-2023
Photos Courtesy of Hannah Smith
Portsmouth vs Gosport & Fareham, Saturday 18th March 2023. Counties Hampshire 1
Portsmouth 14- 38 Gosport & Fareham Match report by Jim Dixon This was the final League match for this season, a game that should have been played on Saturday 17th.December but was postponed due to a frozen pitch. And what a contrast it was with a warm sun on a mild and pleasant day. Portsmouth kicked off and went straight onto the attack, keeping Gosport pinned in their 22. Portsmouth set up a good driving maul and eventually Brad Atkins broke away from the maul to score out wide. Gareth Davies was on target with the touch line conversion and they went into a 7-0 lead with only a few minutes on the clock. That score seemed to shake Gosport into action and they gradually worked their way down field. It was only good defensive work that kept them out. Portsmouth managed to work their way towards the half way…