HRFU

24th September 2011   Portsmouth 2  -  Away   - Senior Merit - Lost 12 - 22

Away to Portsmouth in the league and a good run of wins, the game looked to be an important one to play, to stay top or close to it.

Portsmouth having recruited players in the closed season played with only one player from last season and a number of ex 1s in the side, so the four wins over them last season looked unlikely.

With hard work and determination Trojans stood to the task and held well until the 25 minute when Portsmouth went over for an unconverted try. 5 - 0. If Portsmouth thought that the light weight backs of Trojans were going to surrender they were wrong. Good defence from them  and with the forwards going strong James Calland (flying in from Florida 4hrs before the game) was over for a good unconverted try off the side of the scrum in the 30th minute. 5 - 5. With 5 minutes to the half time both side lost a forward for 10 minutes.

The game got under way for the second half and the intensity was strong and the defence by Trojans stood strong. Play was going both ways until the heat of the day and having no subs started to show. In the 55th minute Portsmouth broke through for an unconverted try 10 - 5. During the next 20 minutes some unneeded events cost Trojans their No10 for 10 minutes together with a Portsmouth player. Again play was open until the 70th minute when Trojans defences were broken for a converted try, 17 - 5 and the 75th minute for an unconverted try 22 - 5. True to the spirit of the Trojans they never gave up and in the last play of the game JP Cook was over for a converted try after hard work by the forwards. 22 - 12

Very Well done to an unaccustomed team.

E-Mail  web@trojansrugby.co.uk or phone the Club on 023 8061 2400 (Bar) 023 8061 3068 (Admin)      

This page last updated:  01 December, 2011