Close game but a great win for Gosport and Fareham

With just 12 players available, thanks to the last minute availability of Samuel Taylor and the surprise appearance of Joshua Morris who made the trip back from the Principality Stadium to join the team, the 'Dirty Dozen' took to the pitch hoping to avenge their last minute defeat earlier this season.
The game started on a very cold winter morning although the sun made some appearances throughout the game it didn’t bring any warmth along to the pitch.
The first 10 minutes of the game were mainly played in Millbrook’s 22 with Alfie Grant coming close to opening the scoring; his 5m drive from a solid ruck was held up over the line. Sustained pressure from the forwards against a determined Millbrook defence eventually opened up a gap for Benjamin Smith to dart through and the try was given under the sticks which he successfully converted to make the score 0-7.
A converted try from a quick tap penalty by Millbrook levelled the score, 7-7. A great run by Robert Ellis from his full back positon into the right corner looked certain to regain the lead for Gosport and Fareham but a last ditch effort from the Millbrook defence kept him out. Gosport and Fareham won the ball in the scrum after some great work from the pack which lead to Robert Ellis finally crossing the line bringing the half time score to 7-12.

The second half then began with Millbrook scoring immediately from a great restart, the conversion hitting the post and just falling the right side of the upright making it 14-12 to the home side.
Benjamin Smith then managed to get his second try, 14-17. Joseph O’Mahony then channeled his inner Bolt, outpacing the scrambled defence and making a 65 metre dash and scoring a try under the sticks making it 14-22.
Benjamin Smith scored his hat-trick after a 50 metre run from the base of the scrum, converting his own try brought the score to 14-29. Gosport and Fareham No 8 Joshua Morris was then given a yellow card for a high tackle after connecting with a dipping Millbrook player.
Luka Mankiewicz made the most gap in the centre of the defence, deftly sidestepping a tackle before ploughing across the line taking a couple of Millbrook players with him. Ben Smith converted making the score 14-34. Millbrook then trotted in their last try of the game. In their desire to get behind the posts they nearly left the grounding too late, a full pace Alex Burnett taking the player across the dead ball line just as he touched it down. 19-34.
The final score of the game went to Robert Ellis. A long kick through saw him outstrip the home team defence, just managing to get a hand on the ball ahead of a diving Millbrook player making the final result 19-39.
Millbrook and Gosport and Fareham u16s both played brilliantly considering the cold conditions and the shortage of players.

Natasha Davis
U16s Match Reporter