Portsmouth v Bognor, Saturday 20th September, National Cup
The game started in ideal conditions for free-flowing rugby and finished with a very wet ball due to light persistent rain, which made handling more difficult. Bognor have started the season with two league victories and Portsmouth with two close losses.
The game started at a fast pace. Portsmouth opened the scoring with a well worked try by Jay Chatham after a clever chip kick by Gareth Davies, also converted from in front of the posts. 0-7.
Bognor were soon level after weak first up tackling allowed their speedy left wing to score, which was converted. 7-7.
Unfortunately after 15 minutes Portsmouth lost their captain Aaron Beesley to a knee injury, which looks like a few weeks on the sidelines. Almost immediately Bognor scored again from 40metres and convert. 14-7.
By this stage the Portsmouth tight forwards are putting the Bognor eight under a lot of pressure, especially in the scrums. On 22 minutes Gareth Davies sends a good penalty kick into the corner resulting in a catch and drive for Elliott Worrall to score. A Gareth Davies conversion made it 14-14.
On 32 minutes a missed line out by Portsmouth bounced into the Bognor 10s hands who strolls over for their third try, with conversion missed. 19-14.
Unfortunately shortly afterwards a Bognor player suffered a serious looking neck injury in a tackle situation and after a short period of time the referee blew for half time and an ambulance was called. We moved pitches with the referee stating that the missing 6 minutes would be added onto the second half. Bognor looked very dangerous in the first half with their quick backs causing lots of problems for the Portsmouth defence.
The touch line expected more of the same in the second half with Bognor playing with a stiff wind at their backs. However the Portsmouth forwards had other ideas and denied Bognor the ball for much of the 55 minute second half. Injuries to centres Tim Rollett and Evan Watts (dislocated shoulder) meant more disruption for the backs, which had 4 changes from last week’s side, meaning second row Sam Foster playing centre.
With Bognor struggling to exit their half Gareth Davies kicked a penalty to bring Portsmouth within a kick as the persistent drizzle started. 19-17.
Portsmouth were dominating possession and position, but just couldn’t score. On 40 and 45 minutes Gareth Davies had two difficult penalty chances to put Portsmouth ahead, but both drifted wide with the wind. Bognor finally got into the Portsmouth half and a breakdown offence earned Alex Buck a yellow card. Shortly afterwards Bognor kicked a simple penalty and the game finished. Bognor 22 Portsmouth 17.
Next week there are no games as it’s the Women’s rugby World Cup final.
Team:
Solanki
Chatham
Rollett
Watts
Field
Davies
Vugler
Avis
Fooks
Rolfe
Worrall
Foster
Buck
Floyd
Beesley Captain
Replacements
Atkins
Murray
Pilbeam
Portsmouth v Winchester II, Saturday 13th September, Counties 1 Hampshire League
There was 1 change to the original selection for today’s game. Sam Foster came in on the bench in place of Lewis Murray. The pack was the same as last week but there were changes in the backs with Fraser Green unavailable , Ali Macdonald took his place at fullback and Harvey Field was working so his place was taken by Jay Chatham on the wing. Gareth Davies was also not available so Matt Higgins took his place at fly-half. Matt Hoban and Callum Grahamslaw came onto the bench.
Portsmouth got proceeding underway with a good kick downfield which Winchester collected and returned giving Portsmouth a line out between the 22 and 10 metre line. A knock on by Portsmouth gave Winchester a scrum and following a kick upfield Portsmouth had to defend their line, a kick downfield was returned by Winchester. Portsmouth then lost control of the ball and Winchester were quick to grab it and run through to score under the posts, the conversion was good and they took a 0-7 lead on 10 minutes. A kick from Winchester was left to bounce by Portsmouth and this was caught by a Winchester player who ran through to score near the posts. Again they converted extending their lead to 0-14 on 15 minutes.
From a line out in the Winchester 22 Portsmouth were able to set up a good attack which eventually lead to scrum half Dom Vugler side-stepping his way through to score out wide. The conversion missed and the score was now 5-14 on 20 minutes. Shortly after this, Portsmouth were able to close the gap a bit with a penalty taken by Matt Higgins making the score 8-14 on 25 minutes. Shortly after this, Winchester put a a high kick and yet again Portsmouth let the ball bounce and Winchester were quick to pounce on the ball and run through for their 3rd try which was converted thus extending their lead to 8-21 with about 10 minutes of the half remaining and that was the score as the half time whistle went.
The second half started with a penalty to Portsmouth on 43 minutes which Matt Higgins converted with difficult kick into the wind taking the score to 11-21. 2 minutes later Winchester had a penalty which they converted, increasing their score to 11-24. From a 5 metre scrum, Winchester broke wide and scored their 4th try – taking the score to 11-29. Portsmouth were now beginning to string some good moves together which were causing Winchester some problems. Following a penalty against Winchester, Portsmouth had a line out 5 metres from the try line, from a good catch and drive Will Rolfe barrelled his way over to score their 2nd try taking the score to 18-29.
Portsmouth were now playing well and this score was followed shortly with their 3rd try through Evan Watts following a good run. The score was now 23-29 on 65 minutes, with Portsmouth now realising that victory was within their grasp. However with Winchester taking the ball downfield and a line out about 6 metres from the try line Portsmouth had to put in a massive defensive effort to prevent them from scoring. It was then Portsmouth’s chance to score when the forwards drove over the line only for Winchester to get under the ball carrier. With only a few minutes left Portsmouth set up another good attack which saw Brad Jewer eventually take the ball down the blind side and raced round to score almost under the posts. Portsmouth needed the conversion to win but although the kick was on the 22 metre line and just to the side of the posts the gusting wind made it a difficult kick and the ball just went wide.
The score was now a tantalising 28-29. A scrum to Portsmouth saw them shoved off the ball for the first time in the match and with that their chance of winning went as the final whistle went. Their only satisfaction was that they did get 2 losing bonus points, but it could have been so much more. 3 gifted tries certainly didn’t help their cause, lets hope that lessons are learned.
The centre partnership of Evan Watts and Sam Olie is certainly on the up and will only get better. Scrum half Dom Vugler possibly need to get the ball away quicker but that will come as his confidence grows. All 3 subs made an impact when they come on and it was especially pleasing to see Callum Grahamslaw get his debut appearance for the 1’s. He has great pace and is very aggressive with ball in hand. It would be good if Jay Chatham saw more of the ball as he also has great pace. He was subbed on half time but he had only received about 3 passes in the time he was on.
Next week sees Portsmouth travel to Bognor for the first round of a new cup competition. Bognor beat Guernsey 2nds 71-14 so that looks likely to be a tough match. Andover beat Gosport & Fareham 13-41 and they top the table at present. Portsmouth have moved up to 8th.
TEAM
LIAM AVIS, ANT FOOKS, WILL ROLFE
ELLIOTT WORRALL, TOBY WILSON
ALEX BUCK, SAM FLOYD, AARON BEESLEY(C)
DOM VUGLER, MATT HIGGINS
BRAD JEWER, EVAN WATTS, SAM OLIE, JAY CHATHAM
ALI MACDONALD
BENCH
MATT HOBAN, SAM FOSTER, CALLUM GRAHAMSLAW
Portsmouth v Chichester, Saturday 6th September, Counties 1 Hampshire League
This is the first time for many years that Portsmouth have taken on Chichester. After last weeks win against Guildford 17-15 on a cold, wet and windy day, today was a complete contrast with sunshine and a warm breeze blowing across the pitch. This is the first League match of the new season.
Chichester got proceedings underway and a lineout to Portsmouth close the Chi. 22 saw Portsmouth drive them back towards the try line at a rate of knots. It looked as though Portsmouth were going to score through Liam Avis but he broke away from his support players and Chi. managed to get under the ball thus preventing a try. However that miss was soon forgotten when Will Rolfe picked up a loose ball and battled his way over the try line for the first score of the match, Gareth Davies adding the extras. 0-7 after about 6 minutes. However Chi. were soon on the scoreboard when they scored a converted try taking the score to 7-7 on 10 minutes.
Chi. went into the lead on 14 minutes with a converted try to make the score 14-7. This was followed with another try on 22 minutes taking the score to 19-7. From a Portsmouth scrum, fullback Frazer Green collected a quick pass and broke through the defence to score close to the posts, Gareth Davies was on target with the conversion and the score was now 19-14. However Chi. had the last word of the half with a converted try on half time taking the score to 26-14.
The second half started with a bang for Chi. as they scored a converted try on 42 minutes, taking the score to 33-14. However Portsmouth soon hit back with a try by Lewis Murray, making the score 33-19. A converted try by Chi. saw them extend their lead to 40-19 but Portsmouth were soon back on the attack and a score attributed to Alex Buck which saw Portsmouth with a losing bonus point, took the score to 40-24.
Another Chi. converted try saw them extend their lead to 47-24 The gap was closed again when Portsmouth scored a converted try making the score 47-31. Chi. had the final word with a converted try taking the final score to 54-31 as the final whistle went.
A disappointing day for Portsmouth, but it could be seen that Chi had been playing in a higher league last season as they were just a bit slicker than Portsmouth. Their backs were just that bit quicker in pace. The Portsmouth scrum gave a good account of themselves, helped by Will Rolf, prop, Lewis Murray and Elliott Worall, who was back from a long term injury from last season, both second row. The backs have also been strengthened by Evan Watts, and Fraser Green, inside centre and fullback. Scrum half Dom Vugler made his debut and once he has adjusted to the pace of the game and the calls, he will prove to be a useful asset.
Next week sees us welcome Winchester 2nds to Rugby Camp. They got promoted from the league below us last season so are a bit of an unknown quantity. Kick off is 3.00p.m.
Next weeks’ opponents beat Sandown & Shanklin away 29-37. Andover beat Eastleigh 52-14 and Basingstoke beat Bournemouth 2’s 45-22.
TEAM
LIAM AVIS, ANT.FOOKS, WILL ROLFE
ELLIOTT WORALL, TOBY WILSON
ALEX BUCK, SAM FLOYD, AARON BEESLEY(C)
DOM VUGLER, GARETH DAVIES
BRAD JEWER, EVAN WATTS, SAM OLIE, HARVEY FIELD
FRASER GREEN
BENCH
PHIL GILLILAND, LEWIS MURRAY, MATT HIGGINS
PRFC Family Fun Day
Portsmouth Rugby Football Club
🎉 FAMILY FUN DAY 🎉
📅 Saturday 30th August 2025🕛 From Midday onwards📍 Portsmouth RFC Club Grounds
⚫⚪🟡 A day full of fun for all the family! 🟡⚪⚫
✨ Attractions include:
🎈 Bouncy Castle
🎲 Fun Games & Challenges
🎨 Face Painting
🌟 Glitter Tattoos
🖌️ Arts & Crafts Corner
🍬 Sweet Stall
🍦 Ice Cream Van
🎟️ Raffle with exciting prizes
…and much more!
Bring your friends, family, and community spirit for a fantastic day at the club.Refreshments, entertainment, and fun for all ages.
⚫⚪🟡 FREE ENTRY – ALL WELCOME! 🟡⚪⚫
Portsmouth Xv v United Services Portsmouth
Pre-season friendly
KO 1945
Past Players Reunion Lunch, Photo Gallery, Saturday 18th February 2023
A huge thank you for taking part in our 2023 Sock Takeover Day!
January 27th and 28th January 2023
It has been another successful takeover day and whilst we tally up the total fundraising amount, we wanted to say how much it meant to us, as a charity, for teams to switch out their traditional colours for our pink and blue socks.
Over the weekend, each pair of socks worn made an impact – from raising money to raising awareness that our charity exists.
The money raised from the sales of the socks will help provide support kitbags that are designed to help adults or children who are undergoing cancer treatment, they contain exclusive items from our charity range and provide a pick-me-up for their recipients. These remain absolutely free thanks to the generous donations of you and the rest of our wonderful charity supporters.
And thank you to away teams who donated on the day towards the cause, and who are now followers on our social media channels.
Your support really does go a long way, and we hope that we count on you for your support throughout the year and in to 2024.
Put a pencil in your diary for January 2024 for our next Sock Takeover Day!
Thank you again for taking part this weekend
