Portsmouth got two- XV’s out for this training match. 1 squad was mainly 2nd. & 3rd.XV players and the other squad was mainly 1st.XV and some 2nd.XV players. This was the second pre-season game played under floodlights. Hampshire Police have recently resurrected their team and this was their 1st outing for 8 years. Several of their players are playing for other local sides. The sessions were split into 4 x 20 min. periods with the 2nds. & 3rds. playing first.
Hampshire Police opened the scoring almost from the kick off when they spun the ball across their backs and their centre shot through to score, the conversion was successful and they led 0 – 7. Portsmouth were soon able to hit back with a try from a driving maul taking the score to 5 – 7. The first session ended shortly after.
The second session started with the same teams on both sides and Portsmouth scored an early unconverted try thus taking the lead 10 – 7. This was followed shortly after by another Portsmouth try, this time converted, and increased their lead to 17 – 7. The second session ended on the same score.
The 3rd.session started with Portsmouth changing their teams over but Hampshire Police only had enough for half their team to be replaced.
From the re-start Portsmouth were able to set up a driving maul which resulted in a converted try taking their lead to 24 – 7. and the 3rd.session ended shortly after. The final session got underway and Portsmouth soon built on their lead with an unconverted try 29 – 7. A good cross kick by Portsmouth was caught by a back and he stepped through the defence to score a converted try, taking the score to 36 – 7. Another Portsmouth try saw them extend their lead to 43 – 7. The final try was scored under the posts so the conversion was on target and the score was now 50 – 7. The full time whistle went as the conversion went over.
Hampshire Police stuck gamely to their task but Portsmouth had just a bit too much power, pace and fitness for them. Also most of their team played the 80 minutes whilst our players only played 40 minutes. However this was a much better performance than last week with some good moves being tried.
Next week will see a big step up as Portsmouth are travelling to Brighton for the 3rd. pre-season match which will be played on Saturday with a 3.00 p.m. K.O..Brighton play in a higher league than Portsmouth.so this will be a good test as to where they are.
