Score Plus Four For King’s And Pompey

In the last home game of 2015 King’s welcomed Portsmouth, one of London 2SW’s form sides, to Motspur Park. Although King’s achieved a league double over the visitors last season, with ‘Pompey’ only avoiding the drop by virtue of a late rally with three wins in their last four games, looking at their recent results – five wins from six including an eye-catching away win at London Cornish – it was evident they were a much improved outfit this time round. It was only 2010 that Portsmouth were playing in the National Leagues and King’s were well aware that this encounter would be nothing less than a stiff test.

So it was under overcast but dry skies, with a strong blustery wind blowing across the pitch that Suffolk exchange referee Ben Graverston blew his whistle to get proceedings underway.

The teams poked and prodded their way around one another in the opening minutes and the first chink of light came when King’s were awarded a penalty, but it was to no avail as the kick drifted harmlessly wide. If it wasn’t already obvious then King’s were soon made aware that the effectiveness of Portsmouth’s game plan was likely to be dictated by their sizeable pack who wasted no time putting their mark on proceedings as from a solid 5m scrum their captain and No.8 Gibbs picked and rumbled over for a converted score; 0-7.

From the re-start King’s began to play with more cohesion and stayed in the Pompey half long enough to earn themselves a second kickable penalty chance. This time Rory Jones made no mistake and the home side were on the board; 3-7. This score appeared to galvanise King’s and they began to play with the fluidity that home supporters are used to seeing. Having moved some of Portmouth’s heavy operators left and right full-back JJ Kilmartin spotted the a gap and hurtled through it before feeding winger Tom Smith who drew the last man before releasing Kilmartin to cross the whitewash; 8-7.

The lead and the momentum were with King’s at this juncture and soon after the Portsmouth inside-centre found himself condemned to the sin-bin for coming off his feet and killing the ball, and from the resulting penalty Jones stretched the lead to four; 11-7. Whilst their backs were numerically diminished, Pompey still had all their forwards on the pitch and very sensibly put them to work. From another 5m scrum it must have felt like Groundhog Day for Kings as Gibbs crossed for a cookie-cutter copy of his first score; 11-12. Restored to their full compliment and buoyed by their second score, the third followed soon after for Pompey this time from a 5m line-out drive, as Hoolihan emerged from the bottom of a tangle of limbs; 11-19.

Half-time: 11-19

It would have been a brave or exceptionally sage observer to anticipate how the result would out, as the teams were putting on a fine and balanced show. As it transpired King’s soon took a leaf from their opponent’s book as from an attacking lineout they mauled their way towards and ultimately over with Louis Mather doting down. Regrettably the referee did not concur, King’s chagrin contrasted by some awkward smiles and knowing glances amongst the Pompey players. King’s were not to be denied for long however as from the next play Diggy Forshaw crossed and this time the referee’s arm was raised; 16-19.

At this point King’s freshened up matters with Barry Williams and Will Nelson replacing Louis Mather and Jonny Bell respectively and Portsmouth’s lead lasted just a few minutes more as Jones was successful with his third penalty goal to level the score; 19-19. Portsmouth were not to be outdone and they galvanised their play with some incisive running, notably a searing break from their inside centre, whose game was regrettably cut short soon after by an injury. Playing close to the King’s line, Portsmouth could smell blood, and they were left stunned as the ball was turned over and when it reached centre Luke Minors he shaped to kick, before dropping a shoulder and bursting upfield. To his right was JJ Kilmartin who outstripped the cover to put King’s back in the lead; 24-19. It was a gem of a try and it was only a shame Jones was unable to add the extras.

It was at this point, for the first time, that matters became a little fraught with a couple of isolated instances of enthusiasm spilling over into something more. Mr Graverston dealt with matters on the pitch with some stern words and went one step further with the Portsmouth coach whose vocal outbursts saw him banished from the touchline. Then came arguably the turning point, at least as far as King’s were concerned, as home lock Max Mather was the recipient of a yellow-card for collapsing a maul in midfield. With only 9mins to play the hosts were to see out the game with 14 and this was not wasted on Portsmouth who tightened things up and after wave after wave of attack was rebuffed they found themselves with a 5m scrum in what was to be the last play. Once again that man NZ Navy Lieutenant Gibbs needed no encouragement to complete his hat-trick; 24-24. With the last kick of the game Portsmouth had the chance to break King’s hearts, but mercifully for the home team the kick slewed low and wide and with that a shrill blast signalled the end.

As was variously commented by players, club officials and spectators alike the game was a fine example of level 7 rugby with the two sides’ contrasting styles making for an intriguing match up. Ultimately both sets of supporters graciously conceded that the other was worthy of a share of the points and with L2SW as close as it is, it should perhaps be no surprise that this game ended up a tie. There are still only 10pts separating eight teams and whilst Basingstoke’s cause looks to be a lost one, every other team is well capable of upsetting their opponents on any given day. Today Portsmouth left with a try bonus point to supplement the two they earned for the draw, and who is to say it may not prove valuable when the dust settles and we shall look forward to our trip to the south coast on 2nd April.

For King’s they go to Andover next week, another team who have found form with three successive wins and who will doubtless be eager to take the Old Boys' scalp a week before Christmas.

Tries: Kilmartin x 2, Forshaw

Penalties: Jones x 3