Another grey day and extremely muddy field welcomed the first friendly match against Totton for a couple of seasons. The boys arrived full of renewed confidence after their much improved match the previous week. They knew it was going to be a hard match...but they were ready.

And what a match it was!

Joe opened the scoring - quite probably a spectacular try but in true Chris Kamara "I don't know Jeff, has there?" style I totally missed it! Richard took on kicking duties this week and slotted it between the posts.
Totton replied 3 minutes later with an unconverted try.
The two teams battled it out with a massive period of energy sapping scrum after scrum due to knock ons in the slippery conditions before Totton exploited a gap on the left wing, adding the unconverted try in the 21st minute.
Some hard rucking on the Totton 22m kept the ball among the forwards who pushed on gaining precious ground. The ball was set up once again on the 5m line and taken on by Jamie, head down, legs pumping he made his way through the Totton defence before crashing over the line just on the stroke of half time.

HT -Totton 10 : 12 Gosport and Fareham

Just two minutes into the half, Gosport and Fareham had the ball just a metre from the Totton try line. A pick and go from Alex and he was over...only to be disallowed by the referee's whistle for a knock on.
Totton were first to score in the second half with a well worked try but were unable to convert.
Gosport and Fareham added another unconverted try 4 minutes later. Richard, digging the ball out of the ruck on the 22m, passed along the line to Alfie who delayed his pass to Joe long enough to force two Totton defenders out of position. Joe sprinted down the almost empty wing with Riley in support before nonchalantly dabbing the ball down one handed.
In the 43rd minute Totton added another unconverted try. Followed just a minute later by another, this time converted, score.

Just seven minutes left with the score at Totton 27: 17 Gosport and Fareham; surely that was it, game over - the boys had given everything.

A quick series of substitutions brought on some well rested legs and the boys were soon back down on the Totton try line. With the ruck set and the Totton counter rucking stopped and pushed back Richard released the ball and just managed to sneak down the side of the ruck, grounding the ball right on the line.
This was it...3 minutes to go...an unconverted try behind.
Gosport and Fareham attacked straight from the kick off, they weren't going down without a fight. Turnover ball in the ruck! Gosport and Fareham had it. Richard, once again, dug the ball out and sprinted toward the post before being brought down with a high tackle. A quick tap and go, Richard passed to Luka who, despite being wrapped in a Totton defensive blanket managed to smuggle the ball to Alex. Alex took his chance, went low and took the ball over for a match levelling score.
It was now all down to Richard. Well into extra time he carefully placed the ball...stepped slowly back...took a couple of deep breaths and started his run up. The kick seemed to take an eternity. He struck the ball cleanly and it sailed between the posts accompanied by the sound of the full time whistle!

FT -Totton 27 : 29 Gosport and Fareham

Well, what can I say? Two wins on the trot with both matches showing a marked improvement over the previous few weeks. Well done boys, a thoroughly deserved win.