Results
Sat 4 Oct 2025
12 – 13
(HT 0-0)
Match Report
This is, I think, the first time these two teams have met. At least the rain held off but there was a very strong blustery wind blowing across the pitch which made kicking a bit of a problem.
Millbrook got proceedings under way and Portsmouth took play into the Millbrook half. A penalty and yellow card against Millbrook saw Portsmouth find a good touch kick 5 metres from the try line. Portsmouth set up a good catch and drive and they powered themselves over the try line for second row Lewis Murray to touch down for the first score of the day. The conversion missed and Portsmouth took an early lead 0-5 after 10 minutes. Portsmouth further increased their lead when Millbrook were penalised giving Portsmouth a kick at goal, this time Gareth Davies was on target taking the score to 0-8 with about 20 minutes gone.
Millbrook were beginning to give Portsmouth some problems with strong running from their forwards and following a Portsmouth kick to touch which gave Millbrook a lineout on the 5 metre line. Good defence by the visitors saw them hold out but eventually they spun the ball across their 3’s and despite more good defence they managed to squeeze in for a try in the corner. The conversion missed and the score was now 5-8 after about 25 minutes.
With play taking place between the 22’s Millbrook won a scrum close to the Portsmouth try line. As they won the ball which came out of the side of the scrum, their wing forward broke to gather but knocked the on and then kicked ahead to score. Unfortunately, the referee was on the other side of the scrum and he only saw the player touch down so he awarded the try despite protestations from Portsmouth. The try was converted giving Millbrook a 12-8 lead with a couple of minutes of the half remaining. Almost on half time Matt Hoban then got a yellow card and the half time whistle went shortly after. During half time the Ref did apologise to Portsmouth that he had given the wrong decision.
The second half started and Portsmouth set up a series of good attacks but eventually the final pass went into touch. Millbrook then very nearly increased their lead when following a Portsmouth attacking passing movement the final pass was not really on and was picked of by Millbrook who broke clear and there was only Brad Atkins and Brad Jewer in defence. Jewer tackled the ball carrier who then managed to ship the ball to a following player but Brad Atkins tackled him, by which time Portsmouth had got back in defence and the try was averted. There then followed a series of 5 metre lineouts which saw Portsmouth on defensive duties which they fulfilled time and again. A couple of times Millbrook butchered try scoring chances, but that was in part due to the pressure that Portsmouth put on them through their dogged defence.
Portsmouth then had a chance to close the gap when, from a defensive effort in their 22, centre Leo Wall suddenly got the ball and broke through the opposition and was tackled just short of the Millbrook line causing him to loose the ball and Millbrook were able to clear their lines. From more defensive work from the visitors suddenly it was full back Jas Solanki’s turn to set up an attack. He broke through the opposition and found Brad Jewer with him. A pass to Jewer saw him take the ball deep into the Millbrook half before passing back inside to Solanki who had followed play. He took the final pass and dummied his way through to score a vital try giving Portsmouth the lead 12-13 with the kick to come but the wind proved too strong and the ball drifted wide.
Portsmouth were then penalised after the re-start for not releasing the ball after the tackle. Another 5 metre lineout followed, but Portsmouth held firm, winning the ball and kicking it into touch as the final whistle went. A victory by the slenderest of margins but a win never the less. Much joy in the Portsmouth changing room afterwards.
The second half at one time looked as though it was going to be scoreless but obviously Portsmouth had other ideas. Millbrook are well drilled side with a couple of big second rows and a very useful backline who were dangerous at times.
This win sees Portsmouth in 8th place on 7 points, Millbrook are 1 place above, also on 7 points. Next week’s opponents are Bournemouth 2’s who lost to Winchester 2’s 43-22. They are in 6th place also on 7 points. Basingstoke top the league on 15 points and are unbeaten, beating Gosport & Fareham 43-15.
Portsmouth 2’s beat Overton 24-27. Portsmouth 2’s are in 3rd place in their league, with the top 3 all on 5 points. The 3rds game was cancelled as Chichester couldn’t raise a team.
TEAM
LIAM AVIS, ANT FOOKS, WILL ROLFE(C)
LEWIS MURREY, SAM FOSTER
ALEX BUCK, SAM FLOYD, MATT HOBAN
DOM VUGLER, GARETH DAVIES
CALLUM GRAHAMSLAW, SAM OLIE, LEO WALL, BRAD JEWER
JAS SOLANKI
BENCH
BRAD ATKINS, HENRI DAVIES, MATT PILBEAM