Vandals produce gutsy Display against Top 3 side....

The score line suggests a comfortable victory for the visitors and certainly Portsmouth deserved their success, but Vandals can take credit for their spirited fight back. From 33 points to 3 down early in the second half, scoring two well worked tries boosted their confidence and they had Portsmouth on the defensive for much of the rest of the game as they attached at every opportunity, often from deep inside their own twenty-tow. Had Vandals turned the possession they achieved in the opening twenty minutes into points, the result would have been much closer, but as it was Portsmouth soaked up this early pressure and gradually began to dominate with some good driving play from their forwards and some slick handling and pact out wide in their back line. They opened up a 21 point to 3 by half time, and having added two more tries in the second half it appeared they were likely to go even further ahead, so much were they in control, but it was when Vandals began to play with renewed vigour. They stemmed the flow of their opponents attacks with some aggressive e defence which gained them several penalties, the back row John Cottam, George Shannon and Joshua Carter played their full part in this defensive effort, and with the pressure relieved Vandals moved into attacking gear, resulting in their two tries and threatening to score on several more occasions.

There was very little evidence of Portsmouth’s lofty league position in the early exchanges with Vandals gaining plenty of ball from set pieces and from turnovers. A good chase by winger Luke Phair forced a line out, and when the ball was moved into midfield Portsmouth were penalised at the breakdown, and fly half Harry Weatherall slotted over this kick. Vandals continued to make the early running with a fine surge by Greg Lynch, but agonisingly the full back was tackled into touch inches short of the try line. Portsmouth looked dangerous when eventually they got their hands on the ball and surely would have scored but for a poor pass and knock on. Vandals defence at the scrum held them up again, but Portsmouth made amends at the next scrum to drive over for the try which was converted by their excellent kicker. Gaining further possession from a penalty Portsmouth then drove over for their second try from the resultant line out, which with the conversion, gave them a 14 point to 3 lead. Vandals responded with a fine fun by Luka Trevillone and only a tap tackle prevented the winger from scoring. A try would have brought Vandals right back into the game, but it was the visitors who scored again, on the stroke of halftime, to now lead by 18 points.

Portsmouth were very quick into their stride on the resumption, and from a ruck they moved the ball wide for their pacey winger to crash over for a bonus point try. A fifth try from good second phase ball saw the visitors total move up to 33, and Vandals were staring down the barrel, but showing great character they rallied magnificently. Winning a turn over a try was set up for Harry Weatherall which he converted, and then the same player went over for his second try out wide, after some fine powerful drives by the forwards. There was still time for either side to add to their total, with Vandals having the more incentive to score as two more tries would have given them too a bonus point, scoring four tries and losing by less than 7 points. They piled on the pressure forcing penalty after penalty and a yellow card for Portsmouth, but their valiant efforts failed to produce any more scores.