Results

Counties 1 Hampshire Results

Sat 6 Dec 2025

Basingstoke RFC Ltd

7 – 8

ABANDONED

(HT 0-0)

Portsmouth RFC

Basingstoke RFC Ltd

  • 15
    Paterson
  • 14
    Worsfold
  • 13
    Rowley
  • 12
    Rowley
  • 11
    Tala
  • 10
    Green
  • 9
    Kent-Jordan
  • 1
    Ansell
  • 2
    Bushnell
  • 3
    Richards
  • 4
    Rushworth
  • 5
    Williams
  • 6
    Mairs
  • 7
    Wareham
  • 8
    Miranda

Substitutes

  • 16
    Siddall
  • 17
    Lucas-Smith
  • 18
    Boyce

Portsmouth RFC

Substitutes

Match Report

This game had all the prospects of being a very tight match. With Basingstoke in 3rd place on 31 points and Portsmouth in 4th place on 28 points. The biggest difference between the 2 sides was ‘Stoke’s points difference of 139 against Portsmouth’s 14.

The rain was not too bad but there was a strong wind blowing straight across the pitch which didn’t really give either team an advantage.
The game kicked off at 3.00pm under floodlights. Basingstoke got the match underway and Toby Wilson caught the ball and took play forward before linking with his 3’s. A good kick by Gareth Davies took play deep into the opposition half. ‘Stoke set up an attack but good defence stopped them and a great jackal by Sam Floyd won Portsmouth a penalty just inside the Basingstoke half. Gareth Davies took the ball and elected to kick at goal which dissected the posts giving Portsmouth a 0-3 lead after a couple of minutes.

From the restart ‘Stoke put the ball directly into touch giving Portsmouth a scrum on half way. Portsmouth were then penalised for an infringement in the tackle. From a quickly taken tap penalty they spun the ball across their 3’s with the 2 centre’s showing good handling and speed and eventually they scored a converted try taking the score to 7-3 on 6 minutes.

‘Stoke then got penalised from the restart for holding on after the tackle. A good touch kick by Gareth Davies took play deep in to the ‘Stoke 22 and Portsmouth had a lineout about 7 metres from the try line. Suddenly Will Rolfe got the ball and drove over to score a try, Gareth Davies kick looked as though it was going to dissect the posts but at the last minute with wind took it wide. But this put Portsmouth back in the lead 7-8 with about 15 minutes played.

With play swinging between the 22’s neither side could get real domination. At scrum time it seemed that Portsmouth would put pressure on Basingstoke and vice-versa on Portsmouth’s put in. The ‘Stoke centre’s were causing problems for Portsmouth and they opened up the Portsmouth defence but a final pass was forward much to the relief to the visitors. Portsmouth then lost 2nd row Toby Wilson when he and Sam Olie both tackled the same player resulting in a clash of heads which saw Wilson leave the field with a nose bleed. He was replaced by Henri Davies.

With the game still well-balanced Sam Floyd made a good clearout of a ‘Stoke player then he himself got cleared out or so it seemed. It was all a bit unclear as the next thing we were aware of was Sam Floyd looking at his leg and calling for the Physio. Leane rushed on but also Liam Avis, who is a Charge Nurse in A&E at QA. He went straight into action with Leane and the game was stopped as an ambulance was called for. This all happened on 37 minutes.

A Paramedic arrived very quickly and he assessed the situation and chased up the ambulance which arrived at about 3.45pm. Meanwhile the Ref had suggested the 2 teams retire to the changing rooms as it was going to be a while before Sam Floyd could be moved. By then the spectators were also returning to the comfort of the bar. The next we heard was that the Ref had spoken to both teams and neither showed much enthusiasm for continuing so the game was mutually abandoned, the fixture will be played later in the season, possibly on a blank weekend in January.

The incident was completely accidental and was all as bit of a mystery as it happened almost in front of us but no-one seemed aware of the severity. Such a disappointing way for the game to end what was a very entertaining and exciting match. In the club house after the Referee said how this game was one of the best he had covered for a long time, in fact he wasn’t aware of the time, so engrossed was he. There were big tackles going in from both sides which prompted ooh’s and aah’s from both sets of supporters.

We heard that the Medics didn’t think the leg was broken but would know more when he got to hospital. The later news was that Sam had lacerations from his knee to his ankle which would require surgery tomorrow. Since he joined us from Locks Heath Puma’s he has earned his place in the 1st XV and has been quite fearless in his play. We all wish him a quick recovery and speedy return to action.

TEAM

WILL ROLFE(C), BRAD ATKINS, LIAM AVIS
SAM FOSTER, TOBY WILSON
ALEX BUCK, SAM FLOYD, ANT FOOKS
DOM VUGLAR, GARETH DAVIES
JAY CHATHAM, ALI MACDONALD, SAM OLIE, MATT PILBEAM
IOAN DAVIS

BENCH
JOHN PEARSON, HENRI DAVIES, JAMES COLWELL