The Under 16’s began their league campaign away to Portsmouth. Due to a spate of pre season injuries they arrived two short against a full Portsmouth squad at Rugby Camp. Even though Portsmouth, under Hampshire League rules, matched numbers there was still the number of fresh legs at Portsmouth's disposal to worry about. Some teams may have been overawed by this task ahead but not Gosport and Fareham. Slightly under prepared with limited training through the week they took to the showcase pitch against a pack that had a significant weight advantage.
After some great defensive work against the home side Gosport and Fareham attacked. A well formed ruck on the opponents try line saw Alexander Stepnitz open the scoring; taking the ball from the back of the ruck and dabbing it over the outstretched arms of the Portsmouth defence - 5 up after 8 minutes. The conversion was missed wide out. The game went from end to end with Gos competing well against the Portsmouth forwards. The Magnificent 6 held their own in the loose and in the line.
The Portsmouth pack took them close to Gos line on 23 minutes and their number 8 picked up from the scrum and went over 5-5 with the conversion missed.
The elements were with Portsmouth in the 1st half but admirable defence from Gos kept them out for a further 6 minutes but, eventually, the relentless onslaught from the strong Portsmouth forwards finally opened up our defence and they scored under the sticks with a conversion Portsmouth lead 12-5.
Gos came back into the game from the restart and got into Portsmouth 22. Some great forward play by Alexander Stepnitz who broke numerous tackles who then went on to score in the clubhouse corner 12-10.
Half time came, 12-10 down but, after a fantastic performance, Gos heads were held high. Now with the elements, the second half would come down to fitness and technique (and a slice of luck). Gos were carrying a slight injury with one of their thirteen but David Lewis played on valiantly deep into the second half.
Kicking off with the wind deep into Portsmouth territory the game went from end to end. Gos won the first line out in their opponents half and, after three good phases and with a two man overlap, Harvey Field managed to ground the ball on the line after 37 minutes. Unfortunately the following conversion was charged down, but Gos were up 12-15.
With strong Gos defence and both teams playing open rugby the inevitable happened. The two man advantage took its toll and the Portsmouth forwards eventually went under the Gos sticks and adding the conversion after 57 minutes went 19-15 up.
After 62 minutes Gos went ahead after a line out on the right touch and with quick ball went along the back line to Ben Smith who finished off clinically in the left corner. Unfortunately two Gos men were down when this play went on and both players left the field. Eight minutes left and down to eleven players, Gos now leading 19-20.
With five minutes to go and Portsmouth on top they scored from a quick tap in the Gos 22 to re-take the lead 24-20 with the conversion missed.
A minute on the clock, Gosport and Fareham picked themselves up for one last big effort and got back into the opponents half. The ball went to Ben Smith down the right side and he outpaced the tiring Portsmouth defence to score a true team try in the right corner to retake the lead. Harvey Field then slotted the conversion from the touchline for Gos to take the lead 24-27. Portsmouth restarted the game but time had gone and the “Magnificent 13” came away from the Camp with a fantastic and well deserved win. Those watching the game saw a spectacle of great rugby from both sides appreciated by all supporters and coaches. If this is what Gos can do with thirteen, then with a full squad next week, who knows what they can achieve this year. Against all the odds the lads started with a great league victory on away soil.