Wimborne 17 - 12 Gosport & Fareham

The match was played over three 20 minute periods so that all players could get a game. Wimborne were short of players and so Gos players Albie Pannell and Billy Strachan came to the rescue to help out the home side. Well done to these two for their efforts.

Gos selected a very strong XV for the first period. The forwards were dominant in the rucks and the scrum and the backs were breaking the lines making good advances - all territory was with Gosport & Fareham. The weather played its part with the heavy rain making handling very difficult and balls were spilled. But it was Tom Batley who surged over to open the days' scoring, and his conversion meant that the score finished 0-7 at the close of the first period.

Team: Craig Taylor, Tom Winter, Harry Haggard, Max Burditt, Reegan Hamilton, Louis Oldfield, George Firth, Owen Brown, Tom Rimmer, Tom Batley, David Allot-Nickerson, Sam Yeardley, Sean Pitt, Daniel Sparshott, Jordan Wright.

In the second period Gos made some changes experimenting with formations and personnel. The rain persisted and conditions deteriorated but Gos remained on top and Lewis Evans completed a fine run down the wing to score the only points in the second period.

Team: Mesha Solanki, Ali Bowes, Harry Haggard, Scott Plows, Dale Thompson, Jordan Wright, James Holstead, Craig Taylor, Charlie Smith, Owen Brown, Tom Batley, Lewis Evans, Sam Goodsell, Jack Gander, Tom Rimmer.

In the third and final period, with the pitch cutting up and becoming waterlogged, Gos made further changes allowing all squad players to gain game time and Tyrel Morris-Wilson, Albie Pannell and Billy Strachan featured well for Gos. However, in the dismal rain Wimborne ran in three late tries and a conversion to win overall 17-12.

Overall and despite the final result, Gosport & Fareham produced a very good squad performance showing strength, guile, speed and which should bring confidence for the season ahead.

Man of the Match: Craig Taylor
Parents Man of the Match: Reegan Hamilton