‘Invincibles’ Petersfield rattle up Rugby Camp half-century
Petersfield produced a champions performance in dishing out a large Rugby Camp defeat to Portsmouth in their final Hampshire Counties 1 fixture of the season.
Entering the game having won 18 and drawn one of their 19 games, the visitors completed an ‘invincibles' campaign with a thumping 50-15 success.
Portsmouth were forced into quite a few changes from their usual side, due to unavailability/injury, including drafting in veteran Ian French in the front row.
The 47-year-old, who doesn’t train, was all set to play for the 2nds alongside his son Joe at Ventnor. Greg Hoolihan, 36, who retired last season, was deployed at hooker.
With the wind at their backs, Portsmouth actually took the lead with an unconverted try from Connor Charlton.
Petersfield soon hit back with an unconverted try of their own before Portsmouth skipper Ollie Simpson was stretchered off with a knee injury to be replaced by Dan Spencer.
Petersfield ran in two further tries to lead 19-5 at the interval.
The second half started with French being rested but, after an injury to No.8 Aaron Beesley, he was quickly back on.
Portsmouth had now lost their two most potent ball carriers, and two more tries from the visitors made it 31-5 before Charlton touched down for his second unconverted try.
After a Petersfield penalty, the hosts scored a third try, Brad Jewer offloading to Tim Rollett.
But it was the champions who scored all the remaining points.
With Petersfield having four players who were playing National 2 last season and a speedy back line, this was always going to be a hard task. But Portsmouth showed great heart and solid defence and should be proud of their efforts, especially as this was an untried team.
Ollie Avis at 10 again put on a good display and seemed comfortable with ball in hand, always looking for space.
Portsmouth finished in fifth place on 52 points, 12 points behind fourth-placed Gosport & Fareham.