Almost a mirror image of last week's game at Sutton, Stortford today got off to an error-strewn start but improved as the game went on. Conditions were admittedly far from ideal, with a steady drizzle falling for much of the game and the wind blowing off the Solent proving troublesome. In the first half, though the visitors failed to adjust to the conditions and repeatedly turned ball over trying to force the game. They, nevertheless, were rarely in trouble and, although going 3-0 behind after 5 minutes when penalised for offside, levelled the scores within 10 minutes when Tom Coleman kicked a penalty for killing the ball at a breakdown. The rest of the first half was pretty scrappy and the deadlock was broken only on the stroke of half time, when Maehe Austin forced his way over for a try from the back of a scrum taken against the head. The forwards had earned this score, having, for the first time in the game run through a series of phases and made 30 metres to the home try-line, before knocking on in the tackle. Coleman converted to take the half time score to 3-10.
Stortford started the second half well, but then seemed to relax and some poor kicking gave Portsmouth a number of opportunities to run the ball back and their forwards managed to put together a couple of good drives. 17 minutes into the half their efforts were rewarded with a penalty for an illegal tackle in the centre, which their fly half kicked to take the score to 6-10. This seemed to shake the visitors and they proceeded to put together by far the best rugby of the game, with forwards driving up the middle and setting up good ball, which the backs put to good use. The first product of this was a try in the left corner by winger, Ed Merrivale after a sweeping move involving virtually the whole team. Coleman converted superbly and proceeded, after 5 minutes to set up a second try for Merrivale after more good driving play from the pack. Coleman once again converted from the touchline.
Stortford pressed briefly for a 4th try for a bonus point, but were unable to grasp a couple of reasonable opportunities as Portsmouth, battling to the end, fought back bravely.
Another convincing win on the road, but next week's opponents, Basingstoke will doubtless be a tougher proposition in our final home game of the season. Let's hope for better weather!
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