The Under 16s began the 2017/18 season with a friendly versus Buster Barbarians at Hooks Lane Havant. In an unusually formatted match with no conversions, they played the two halves punctuated by the first half of a match between Petersfield and the hosts Havant. Playing with the elements first half, Gosport and Fareham got off to quick start with two early tries being scored by Joseph O'Mahony, and David Lewis, a good start on his debut. Gosport and Fareham added a third before the Barbarians were able to respond. Two further tries either side of Barbarian’s second came courtesy of Robert Ellis; one the result of a beautifully charged down kick and follow up rucking from Alex Burnett.
The first half finished Barbarians 10 – 25 Gosport and Fareham. A solid start to the match with some excellent running by the backs in blustery conditions.
After watching the first half of the Havant v Petersfield match, the lads regrouped and took to the pitch for the second half; this time up the slope and against the elements. The ball was slippy after the drizzle and the half began with Gosport and Fareham forced to defend in their 22. Some solid defence from all the team held the relentless onslaught from the Barbarians at bay for 15 minutes. The Barbarians were unlucky and twice broke through only to run the ball dead and drop the ball over the line. With both teams beginning to show fatigue Gosport and Fareham got back on top in the final quarter and with some strong running from the backs resulting in four tries from Robert Ellis and Harvey Field without reply. A few of the lads took some knocks but the team were worthy winners and overall a very good run out for the team.
Final Score: Barbarians 10 - 45 Gosport and Fareham
A highlight worthy of mention was the tackle from Samuel Taylor that even made the ref pull an ‘oooh’ face.
Training continues and three sessions will be completed so the team should well prepared for their first league game which is now on Sunday 24th September where we’ll travel to Portsmouth and hopefully have a good first win of the season and have many more to come.
It was great to see and hear the support on the sidelines.

Natasha Davis
U16s Match Reporter