1st v Portsmouth, Away, 6th January 2018

Portsmouth made a strong start with their forwards mauling their way into the Trojans half and after five minutes had a five metre line-out from which the ball was spun out for a score under the posts to give an easy conversion. Trojans then got back into the game and play went from end to end but Trojans had a setback on twenty minutes when key players full-back Kochanowski and winger Pooley both had to leave the field through injury. However, on the half hour, a great three-quarter move from their own half was finished off by Trojans winger Charlie Pooley, now returned to the battle, scoring in the corner. Right on time, some poor handling by Trojans allowed Portsmouth a couple of opportunities to score, the final one successful, the conversion giving Portsmouth a 14-5 lead.

Trojans started the second half strongly and had opportunities to score and, on ten minutes, were awarded a penalty in front of the posts and chose the scrum. Nothing came of that move and Portsmouth swept down the pitch to score a try against the run of play. Although Trojans were able to put in some good attacks some poor handling let them down and allowed Portsmouth to take control, gaining another goal on twenty minutes and wind up with a deserved win.