Sat 23 Nov 2024
9 – 12
(HT 0-0)
Match Report
Portsmouth travelled a shortish distance along the M27 to Eastleigh wondering a bit what the weather was going to do. With the threat of Storm Bert coming in together with gale force winds and heavy rain it was all a bit daunting. As it turned out it was a much quieter spell that greeted them on the pitch. The wind had dropped and the rain had virtually stopped and at least it was rather mild for a change.
Portsmouth got the game underway playing with the wind slightly behind them. They soon had Eastleigh defending their line as the visitors closed in on the try line. With the pitch already wet and muddy, handling was a bit tricky and the first scoring chance went begging when the ball went loose. Eastleigh then set up their first real attack but the backs were pinged for crossing, giving Portsmouth a chance to clear the ball up field. Understandably there was a lot of kicking with the ground being so wet making the ball rather slippery. A game for the purists this was not going to be!. Another scoring chance went begging when a good run from Solanki saw him make inroads into the Eastleigh 22 before passing to the supporting Stewart Davies. He got tackled and the ball went loose. Eastleigh cleared the ball giving Portsmouth a lineout on the 22. A penalty against Portsmouth gave Eastleigh a chance to break the stalemate from a kick in front of the posts on the 22. The kick was good and they led 3-0 with about 15 minutes gone.
Portsmouth then lost Bryn Rainford with a damaged shoulder after a heavy tackle by him, Vinnie Jefferies went on. Shortly after this Portsmouth were penalised again for offside from a similar position to the previous one. Eastleigh duly converted giving them a 6-0 lead after 23 minutes. Portsmouth kicked upfield and chased the kick to put the opposition under pressure. Eventually the ball went into touch giving Portsmouth a 5m lineout. Another penalty against Eastleigh saw Portsmouth gain a 5m scrum. A good strike by Portsmouth saw them win good ball with No. 8 Fooks breaking open and heading for the line, he then passed to the supporting Avis who crashed over for the first try of the match. The conversion missed and the score was now 6-5 as the half time whistle went shortly after.
Matt Pilbeam then came on to replace Harvey Field on the wing as the second half got underway. Leo Wall then had to come off with an injury so Harvey Field went back on. With the weather now beginning to worsen Portsmouth began to show some adventure and were putting good moves together in the backs despite the slippery ball. Portsmouth then were reduced to 14 when Vinnie Jefferson was yellow carded. Tom Milham then came on to prop taking the place of Liam Avis who went into the second row with foster going to the back row. Another penalty against Portsmouth gave Eastleigh the chance to increase their lead which the duly did to make it 9-5 on 68 minutes.
Pressure from Portsmouth saw Eastleigh give away a penalty and from the resultant scrum Portsmouth took the ball and with Fooks again breaking from the base he made grounds before passing to the supporting Stewart Davies, who carved his way over for their second try. Matt Pilbeam was on target and the lead changed hands with Portsmouth now ahead 9-12 with about 10 minutes remaining. A series of pick and goes kept the ball in the visitors hands and as the clock went into the red scrumhalf Wright kicked to touch to secure a very well earned victory. This was a very well deserved victory with Portsmouth probably wanting it more and played with a great deal of heart in very difficult conditions. The backs were not afraid of setting up some good moves despite the occasional error. The weather did worsen as the game progressed and in the second half it was difficult to make out the forwards on the far side of the pitch. Both teams started in dark colours and by the end certainly it was difficult to make out who was who in the packs. This is Portsmouth’s 3rd win on the bounce. Before this match, Eastleigh were in 6th place with 5 wins, 1 draw and 3 losses. 28 points. Portsmouth were 8th. with 3 wins and 6 losses on 17 points. Another pleasing point was Portsmouth denying Eastleigh scoring tries through some heroic defending. Fooks had yet another good game at No. 8, deputising for the suspended Aaron Beesley.
This result sees Portsmouth move up to 7th on 21 points. Next week is a blank week so hopefully that will give time for those carrying niggles and injuries, time to recover before their next fixture on Saturday 7th.December against Bognor at Rugby Camp. K.O. 2.00p.m.
Here is a thing to visualise, your reporter was engulfed by Sam Foster and Adam Parks-Dare, both covered in mud, in a congratulatory hug by them both after the match, which left me almost as muddy as they were. But it was worth it!!
TEAM
LIAM AVIS, BRAD ATKINS, ADAM PARKS-DARE
BRYN RAINFORD, SAM FOSTER(C)
LEE CHANDLER, HENRI DAVIES, ANT FOOKS
GEORGE WRIGHT, JAS SOLANKI
WILL DALZIEL, SAM OLIE, LEO WALL, HARVEY FIELD
STEWART DAVIES
BENCH
TOM MILHAM, VINNIE JEFFERIES, MATT PILBEAM