Portsmouth 1st XV vs Bracknell 1st XV – 23rd January 2010-01-26

Report by Super Slave

Bracknell travelled to Portsmouth for their scheduled London and SE National 3 League game after having played their last game on December the 12th. For obvious reasons the players were expected to be rusty which only really showed up half way through the first half. Kevin McKenzie was welcomed back into the starting line up after the first five minutes when he was fed a ball out wide, ran around a few defenders to score on the bottom left hand corner with number 10 Manupenu adding the conversion, 7-0. Relentless pressure was put onto Portsmouth who defended tenaciously only to allow another try to be scored by the old war horse “Sparksy” to take the score to 12 – 0 with a conversion to come. Manupenu obliged and the home side were 14-0 down.

Around the 15 minute mark there was a lapse in concentration around the fringes and Portsmouth forward drove into a loose maul with a break coming on the blind side, the tackle was missed and Portsmouth were in for their first score of the afternoon, 14-0. This seemed to light the fire again within Bracknell who attacked with up and unders to camp within the Portsmouth 22 and which again after much pressure (and infringements from Portsmouth) on their try line the referee was left with no alternative than to award a penalty try under the posts. Manupenu managed this conversion as well, 21 – 0. Just before half time another try was scored with the visitors going to the break 26 – 7 up with a very interesting second half looming.

Two minutes after the restart “slow to begin” Nico came back onto the field after the rest of the teams and was provided with a good ball on attack, broke a few tackles and with a few Portsmouth players hanging on managed to score in the left corner much to the angst of the Portsmouth spectators but the try was awarded to go 31 – 7. Bracknell continued to apply pressure on Portsmouth which resulted in another two tries and conversion to take the score to 38 – 7.

Portsmouth defended exceptionally well and never gave up the fight and on numerous occasions were it not for their own handling errors they may well have scored on three or four occasions. Their tenacity was eventually rewarded when again they managed to get around the guard (Ben said he moved), opened a hole in the centre and scored under the posts to take the score to 38-14 with about seven minutes remaining.

Ben Nowak who then took the “bull by the horns” rounded off some fine attacking moves to score under the posts to make amends for his previous “lapse of concentration”, number 10 Manupenu adding the conversion to take the final tally of seven tries to 2 with a 45 – 14 five pointer in the bag. Well done to the whole team as this was one where everyone had a solid input.

For the record the Man of the Match went to the “old war horse” Sparksy (in his third testimonial year) for his two tries and his splendid all round display, I am sure that Emma will enjoy the meal. One other mention was Tim Diack playing at number 7 who for all his efforts managed to inflict pain and suffering (with stiches) upon himself and his own vice captain, with the two of them being patched up after the game by Doc, Thing. Keep up the good work rate.