Results
Sat 11 Oct 2025
34 – 32
(HT 22-19)
Match Report
After a rather tentative start by both sides Portsmouth, through Henri Davies, managed to steal a ball at a Bournemouth scrum in the Portsmouth half. He raced away taking play into the Bournemouth half where Bournemouth were penalised and Gareth Davies put in a nice touch kick giving his side a 5 metre line out. Having secured the ball Portsmouth drove to the line and Matt Hoban crashed over for the first score of the match. The conversion missed and the score was now 5-0 after about 3 minutes. From the re-start Sam Foster leapt in the air to catch the ball and made ground before being stopped. The ball was laid back and Portsmouth drove for the line, with Fooks being attributed with the score. Gareth Davies was successful with the conversion and the score was now 12-0 with about 10 minutes gone. The Portsmouth pack was pretty much in control at scrum time but the Bournemouth backs were a much bigger threat. And so they proved when the scored their first points through their No.13 who side-stepped his way to the try line, touching down close to the posts. The kick was successful taking the score to 12-7 on about 15 minutes.
From the re-start Portsmouth won a penalty which was reversed due to dissent, giving Bournemouth a chance to clear their lines. However Portsmouth were soon on the attack again and this time it was Jas Solanki who stepped his way through the defenders for their 3rd try on 23 minutes taking the score to 17-7. The conversion missed. 2 minutes later it was the turn of Bournemouth to score their second try taking the score to 17-12. From the re-start Portsmouth took the ball up field with Matt Hoban taking the final pass. He made an aggressive run from around the 22 charging his way through defenders and eventually broke clear to score out wide. The conversion missed and the lead increased to 22-12 on 28 minutes. That was Portsmouth’s 4 try so the bonus point was in the bag. From a penalty against the home side, Bournemouth took a quick penalty and from about 6 metres from the try line and scored close to the posts, with the conversion good the score was now 22-19. And that was the score when the half time whistle was blown.
Matt Hoban was replaced at half time due to a ham string problem. His place was taken by Bryn Rainford making his first appearance this season. Portsmouth were continuing to dominate at scrum time, pushing the Bournemouth pack of their own ball. A good drive by Portsmouth stand in skipper, Billy Rolfe saw him take the ball and side step his way through the opposition and run round to dot down close to the posts. Gareth Davies was on target with his conversion and the lead was now 29-19 on 57 minutes.
Bournemouth then managed to intercept a pass and their second row broke clear but was hauled down by Jay Chatham who had to race from his wing. Unfortunately there was a Bournemouth support player outside the tackled player who took the final pass to score a converted try on 65 minutes. The score was now 29-26. This was then followed by 2 penalties on 70 and 73 minutes which saw Bournemouth firstly draw level then take the lead 29-32.
This seemed to awaken Portsmouth and a lovely kick by Gareth Davies following a penalty against Bournemouth saw Portsmouth have line out 5 metres from the try line. A series of pick and goes by Portsmouth kept being repelled by Bournemouth, when a sudden change by scrum half Alex Duffas, who had had a very good game throughout, saw him pass a quick ball to Gareth Davies who launched himself over the try line for that all important score to re-take the lead 34-32. His conversion missed and the final whistle went giving a victory and 5 points to Portsmouth.
It was good to see Alex Duffas back in Portsmouth colours, his pace and speed of passing were invaluable today. Second row Sam Foster also had a good game, it was a surprise to see so many re-starts from Bournemouth kicked in his direction as he rose high and took clean catches every time, making ground on each occasion. Alex Buck had a good game at No.8 and the forwards gave Bournemouth plenty of problems. The Bournemouth backs however were a different proposition and posed the biggest threat. Their left winger has apparently clocked a tad over 10 seconds for the 100 metres. I would hazard a guess that he is the fastest in our league. It was only frantic defence that stopped them using him to greater effect. Twice Portsmouth got marched back 10 metres for dissent and 1 penalty was reversed which they scored from.
This result sees Portsmouth move up 1 place to 7th. on 12 points. Millbrook beat Guernsey at home 44-33 to stay 1 place above us, also on 12 points but with a better points difference. Next week sees Portsmouth travel to Guernsey who are without a win this season so far. Winchester are top of the league unbeaten so far, with Basingstoke in second place having drawn away to Bognor 30-30.
TEAM
BILLY ROLFE, ANT FOOKS, LIAM AVIS
MATT HOBAN, SAM FOSTER
HENRI DAVIES, SAM FLOYD, ALEX BUCK
ALEX DUFFAS, GARETH DAVIES
CALLUM GREENSLAW, SAM OLIE, BRAD JEWER, JAY CHATHAM
JAS SOLANKI
BENCH
BRAD ATKINS, BRYN RAINFORD, MATT PILBEAM