Match Report

This was the first meeting in a League match between these teams. Portsmouth had played them in a pre-season match at their ground a few years ago.

There were two players making their 1st XV debuts today: Reggie Dugan, who is now in the senior squad having been with the Colts last season, and Sam O’Neill, who has joined us from Havant. This fixture was due to be the first game of the League season, but the RFU had delayed the League start due to the state of the pitches.

Portsmouth went into attack mode straight from the kick-off and kept Pulborough pinned in their 22. A Pulborough line-out was stolen by Sam Foster, and a good catch and drive saw the pack power its way over the try line for No. 8 Fooks to score. The conversion by Reggie Dugan was on target and Portsmouth went into a 7–0 lead with only a few minutes on the clock. Portsmouth kept the pressure on their opponents, and it was only a long kick upfield from Pulborough that got them into the Portsmouth half. The home side soon repelled that attack and took play downfield. A good move involving the backs saw the ball moved across field at pace, and eventually it was Alex Dufus who finished off the move with a try out wide. Again Dugan was on target with the conversion and they now led 14–0 with 10 minutes gone.

Pulborough were beginning to get more into the game and showed pace in their backs. Portsmouth then had a lucky escape when they were put under pressure by Pulborough and a fly hack at the ball, which seemed to be made in-field, went dead. The ref awarded Portsmouth a goal-line drop-out, which Pulborough questioned, and it did look as though they were correct, but the ref wouldn’t change his decision. Eventually they did cross for a try after some good work, but the conversion missed, so the score was now 14–5, and the half-time whistle went shortly after.

The second half got underway with a good contest between the two sides battling for territory. Eventually the Pulborough centre stepped his way through the Portsmouth defence for their second try, which was converted, taking the score to 14–12 on 55 minutes. A penalty against Pulborough gave the home side a chance to increase their lead, and Dugan didn’t disappoint with a good kick, taking the score to 17–12. Portsmouth were able to build further on that score with a very well-worked try that started in their own 22. Dugan made a bit of ground before passing to a support runner, who took the ball forward before passing to Sam O’Neill, who had quite a lot of work to do, evading would-be tacklers until he eventually crossed for a try close to the posts. Again Dugan was on target and the score was now 24–12.

However, Pulborough weren’t done yet, and more pressure from them saw them score a try close to the posts, which was converted, taking the score to 24–19 on 75 minutes. Portsmouth then lost Ali Macdonald to a yellow card, which meant that Portsmouth would finish the match with 14 players. Taking full advantage of the missing Portsmouth centre, Pulborough scored an unconverted try to draw the teams level at 24–24. Then, in the dying minutes, they scored again with another converted try to take the final score to 24–31.

A very disappointing result for Portsmouth, who started so well, but then things started to go wrong somehow.

Reggie Dugan showed good promise at No. 10 and will benefit from a run of games. Eban Skinner also had a good game, showing good ball-carrying skills, especially as he hasn’t played a game of rugby since March. The second-row partnership with Sam Foster will also improve with more game time. But yet again there were probably too many changes, which affects team cohesion. If they can get a more settled team, then that will make a difference.

Next week Portsmouth are at home to Basingstoke, which will be another hard game. They beat Andover 27–24 and are now top of the league.

After Portsmouth’s result they stay in 10th place, with Pulborough moving up to 7th.