Results

Counties 1 Hampshire Results

Sat 13 Dec 2025

Portsmouth RFC

32 – 31

(HT 17-26)

Bognor RFC

Portsmouth RFC

Substitutes

Bognor RFC

  • 15
    Hayes
  • 14
    Spray
  • 13
    Norrell
  • 12
    Castleton
  • 11
    Dent
  • 10
    Newton-Young
  • 9
    Spurle
  • 1
    Billingham
  • 2
    Mitchell
  • 3
    Weller
  • 4
    Flinn
  • 5
    Rimmer
  • 6
    Watmore
  • 7
    Jays
  • 8
    Foote

Substitutes

  • 16
    Orchard
  • 17
    Voigt
  • 18
    Turner

Match Report

An ideal day for a good game of rugby, no wind, bright blue sky and plenty of sunshine, and so it proved. This was always going to be a battle for both sides. Bognor were in 2nd place and Portsmouth had been 4th before last weeks game got abandoned in the first half when they were 4th. That meant that before this game they had slipped to 6th.but with a game in hand. This was also the last home for the 1’s before the Christmas break.

From the start Portsmouth took the game to Bognor and although Bognor responded well it was Portsmouth who opened the scoring first when from a 5 metre scrum Portsmouth got good forward momentum which saw skipper Will Rolfe cross for a try. Matt Higgins was on target with the conversion and the score was 7-0 after about 6 minutes. However that lead didn’t last long when from a lineout close to the Portsmouth try line, Bognor spun the ball out to the backs and their centre ran through to score close to the posts, the try was converted and the score was now 7 a’piece after about 12 minutes.

That lead was short lived when from a penalty against the visitors Matt Higgins put the ball through the uprights to re-take the lead 10-7 after 14 minutes. A good run by the Bognor full back, who showed good pace until he was tackled by Jay Chatham. The ball was quickly re-cycled and they crossed for their second try which was converted taking the score to 10-14 on 22 minutes. Portsmouth then lost prop Liam Avis to a yellow card for a high tackle. Bognor took advantage of the missing Portsmouth player and crossed for their 3rd try taking the score to 10-19 on 24 minutes.

That lead was increased by their 4th try scored with about 3 minutes of the half remaining, taking the score to 10-26. With half time fast approaching Portsmouth set up a good move with the ball going through several pairs of hands until Jay Chatham took the final pass and showed great speed as he raced down the wing to score out wide. Matt Higgins was on target again and the gap was now 17-26 as the half time whistle went.

The second half got underway with Portsmouth seemingly re-energised by the last score. From a series of pick and goes, Portsmouth got in range of the try line and Liam Avis scored their 3rd try – converted by Matt Higgins. This closed the gap to 24-26 on 52 minutes, From a Bognor scrum the Portsmouth pack drove Bognor back at a rate of knots forcing them into giving away a penalty. Matt Higgins was again on target and this saw them re-take a slender lead of 27-26 on 60 minutes.

From a Bognor scrum close to the try line, the Bognor No.8 broke blind and scored out wide taking the score to 27-31 on 65 minutes. From a scrum just inside the Bognor 22 the Portsmouth pack once again drove for the line and eventually crossed for their 4th bonus point try. Higgin’s kick looked to be going over but at the last minute it drifted wide of the outside post. But importantly this gave the lead back to the home side 32-31 on 75 minutes.

The pressure was now mounting on both teams but it was Bognor who cracked first when a player pushed Will Rolfe in the back after the whistle had gone. He was shown a yellow card which was then changed to red following dissent to the ref. In the closing minutes Bognor put a long kick down field which Jay Chatham gathered and he made progress upfield before being tackled around the 22 metre line, Portsmouth were then penalised for not releasing after the tackle. With the kick to the side of the posts but just around the 22 it looked as though the game would be lost but the kick went wide and the final whistle went as the ball crossed the dead ball line, giving a well earned victory to Portsmouth 32-31 amid much jubilation from players and spectators alike.

A lot of the credit for the win must go to the forwards who put a lot of pressure on the Bognor pack. It was a much better performance in the second half by the whole squad.

This result sees Portsmouth move up to 5th on 33 points but with a game in hand. Bognor remain 2nd on 40 points. Basingstoke are 4th. having beaten Sandown & Shanklin 46-15. Next week Portsmouth travel to Sandown & Shanklin for the last game before the break. We all know that Island teams don’t travel well so are always stronger at home. They are currently in 10th place.

On a bright note it was very pleasing to see Sam Floyd at the game supporting his team mates. He is now on crutches following his horrendous injury last week at Basingstoke. And the outcome seems much better than originally feared which is great news. He was certainly in good spirits during the match and after.

TEAM
WILL ROLFE(C), BRAD ATKINS, LIAM AVIS
SAM FOSTER, CHARLIE BODMAN
ALEX BUCK, ANT FOOKS, TOM WHITEHOUSE
DOM VUGLAR, MATT HIGGINS
JAY CHATHAM, ALI MACDONALD, SAM OLIE, CALLUM GRAHAMSLAW
BRAD JEWER

BENCH
JOHN PEARSON, JOSH HOWELL-WILLIAMS, JAMES COLWELL