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 22’s for a period. Eventually it was O.W’s who opened the scoring with their winger scoring very close to the touch line. The conversion fell short and they led by 5 – 0 with about 20 minutes gone. Portsmouth thought they had scored when following up a kick ahead which appeared to have been touched down by a Portsmouth player first, the referee deemed that O.W’s had got there first. The first half ended shortly after with the score 5 – 0. Portsmouth started the second half which was made more uncomfortable by cold, driving rain. O.W’s were soon on the attack and a good run by their winger saw him extend their lead to 10 – 0 with an unconverted try although Portsmouth skipper Mark Ovens claimed that he had gone into touch before scoring but the referee wouldn’t listen. 5 minutes later O.W’s were again on the score sheet with a try by their centre who managed to run round and dot down under the posts, the conversion was good and they now led by 17 – 0. Portsmouth were soon on the attack and a very good handling move with some good interpassing saw them take the ball from inside their own half and deep into the opposition’s 22. Bad luck then hit Portsmouth when skipper Mark Ovens had to leave the field with what looked like a bad knee injury. He was replaced at fly-half by Jashan Solanki. Portsmouth then had a chance to open their score with a good driving maul but they lost control of the slippery ball as they neared the try line. Another good move by the visitors came to nothing when they again couldn’t keep hold of the ball and it was O.W’s who scored next with their 4th. bonus point converted try giving them a 24 – 0 lead. This seemed to spur Portsmouth back into life and a good drive for the line saw them cross for a try but the referee deemed that the ball carrier had gone into touch first. Undeterred Portsmouth set up yet another good attack which saw winger Tom Hopkins outstrip the defence to score close to the touch line having gathered his own kick ahead. Tommy Hare was on target with an excellent touch line conversion especially considering the wind. The score was now 24 – 7. Portsmouth were soon back on the attack again, this time through Tommy Hare who kicking ahead, won the race for the bouncing ball and managed a deft little grubber kick and he won the race to touch down, he was also able to convert his own try making the score 24 – 14. Another attack on the opposition try line saw them drive over but they were held up before they could touch down. Eventually the final whistle went with O.W’s putting in a relieving touch kick. Portsmouth deserved more from this game especially after their second half performance. The whole squad put in a good effort although special mention should be made of Harry Drew at scrum half and Tommy Hare at fullback. The forwards also gave a good account of themselves with Finn Parry making good ground with some hard running and Joshan Solanki fitted in well at 10 with some good running and deft passing. All in all a rather disappointing result. This result sees O.W’s stay in 4th.place and Portsmouth stay in 10th. Elsewhere Basingstoke recorded their second win with a 21 – 28 victory away to Old Emanuel. They now have moved off the bottom to be replaced by Old Cranleighans who lost 12 – 38 to Petersfield. Weybridge Vandals are now top with Warlingham, next weeks opposition for Portsmouth, in second place and Petersfield in third. I am due to go into Hospital on 15th.March for a knee replacement so I won’t be around for a while but Nigel Morgan has kindly agreed to continue with the match reports in my absence. Thanks Nigel.