It was definitely "one of those days" with the weather down at Gosport Park as the blue & golds hosted Effingham & Leatherhead in a "must win" match for both sides.

Strong winds and driving rain ensured that whoever could manage the conditions best were likely to come out on top.

Gosport started the match with the wind at their backs, a decision which proved to be spot on. With immediate pressure pushing Effingham & Leatherhead back towards their own line from the kick off, hooker Sean Shepherd picked and carried over within 3 minutes of the start with Dom Holling kicking the extra 2pts.

The wind was definitely a deciding factor on 14 minutes when Holling chose to kick a penalty from well beyond the 10 metre line which despite the wind pushing it onto the post, still went over to put the home side up into double figures.

Effingham were not beaten at this stage though and broke through 5 minutes late to get five points back.

Conditions meant that there was always going to be a lot of errors in the match as both sides pushed to try and get the upper hand - a little too much in the eyes of the man in the middle who gave two yellow cards to the home side (Rory Penfold & Aiden Price).

Five minutes before the end of the half however, Callum Fraser drove over to put a bit more distance in the scoreline.

Gosport were always going to up against it in the second half but it was hoped they'd already done enough. Despite the wind and rain in their faces Gosport's defence stood strong and the players gave everything to ensure that Effingham didn't cross the try line. Both sides were down to 14 men (Gosport permanently) on 60 minutes when energies overflowed and a bit of a scuffle ensued. Rory Penfold was unlucky enough to receive a second yellow for what appeared to be the offence of being the person who had a punch swung at him!!

Although discipline was maintained after this however Effingham did get one further chance at points but it showed how effective Gosport's defence had been that Effingham chose to kick 3pts rather than go for the try.

That was the final score of the day with the home side winning 15-8. The final match of 2018 will be on 15th December at home to Eastleigh.