New Milton A 24 - 21 Gosport & Fareham A

Both teams turned up on a bitterly cold Sunday morning looking to extend their winning runs – Gos feeling and looking very confident sporting their new training tops.

However, things just didn’t go to plan in the first period as Gos were slow out of the blocks - mis-handling, mis-tackles and mis-passes all made for a very scrappy opening and New Milton took full advantage with early raids in the Gos 22. New Milton were faster and stronger in the rucks and mauls and looked to get the ball out wide quickly. Two early tries for the home side with another late in the half meant New Milton went into the break leading 17-0.

In the first period of the second half New Milton scored a fourth try and things did look gloomy for Gos. But once again they showed all their determination and resolute ‘never give up’ attitude. The forwards started to gain an upper hand and win ball so that Connor Parkinson (who had an outstanding game) and Stephen Cheatle could make surging runs with New Milton this time on the back foot.

Jake Moseley opened the scoring for Gos with a strong run breaking through despairing tackles and this provided the impetus for Gos to ‘kick on’. The excellent team spirit within the Gos side is such that defeat is never considered and all of a sudden there was an urgency in the pack: George Crouch, Christopher Wallis and Jack Haggard led from the front with great support from Ethan Carpenter and James Rowe. The flankers, Joel Bowers and Liam Capper, were everywhere breaking down attacks and Connor Parkinson at No8 had an outstanding game. With the ball now firmly in Gosport & Fareham’s possession, scrum-half Matthew John and fly-half Matthew (Dids) Symington started to control the game and set up the attacks. Stephen Cheatle and Jake Moseley were once again formidable in the centre, strong and quick they consistently broke the gain line and wings Joe Bunn and Cameron Holling provided both tackling and the runs to complete the all-round performance. Jake Ellard provided the team with reassurance and confidence as he celebrated his birthday with a super game at full-back and Tom Collins showed how valuable he is to the team with his tackling and running when coming on as a replacement at wing.

Gosport reduced the arrears with a fine Stephen Cheatle try under the posts and Jake Moseley once again forced himself over for his second try of the game. Matthew (Dids) Symington continued his excellent kicking form making it 3 out of 3 conversions to close the gap to 3 points but, unfortunately, time ran out for Gos and it was New Milton who took the honours and a rewarding victory of 24-21.

Man of the Match: Connor Parkinson