Portsmouth recover to secure draw
Portsmouth began life back in London One South with a battling 16-16 draw against Haywards Heath at Rugby Camp.
The hosts trailed 16-0 in the first half but showed their character to hit back and could have won the contest in the final minute.
Coach Ian Chandler was delighted with the way his young side coped after finding themselves behind.
'I am very pleased with the spirit and attitude shown out by my players,' said Chandler.
'This time last season we wouldn't have got back into the game, but this team refused to be beaten.
'Unfortunately, we had a kick at the death to win the game and it drifted narrowly wide.
'We have been improving all summer and raised the bar again today.
'There was some lovely rugby, though we were still very naive at times giving unnecessary penalties away in our own half.
'That's youngsters for you, though, sometimes they want to run everything from everywhere.
'Once we turned around with the wind in the second half we looked like the only winners.
'Haywards Heath were left hanging on, conceding penalties and picking up yellow cards.'
Portsmouth started in confident fashion but were rocked after 12 minutes when a quick penalty and a couple of missed tackles saw them concede a converted try.
The visitors knocked over three more good penalties with the wind before the hosts hit back with a vital try on the stroke of half-time.
When Haywards Heath failed to find touch with a clearing kick, debut-making Kiwi full-back Ben Whitley punished them with a try in the corner.
Lee Chandler missed the conversion but the score gave the home side the platform they needed to take charge after the break.
Portsmouth dominated the second period with Chandler notching two penalties and new winger Jack Hazeldine producing an outstanding finish to score a 51st-minute try in the corner, after a spell of concerted pressure.
At the death, Chandler's 35-yard penalty drifted narrowly wide of the upright.
'Some of our rugby was a pleasure to watch and for the first time for a few years we kept possession through a series of phases,' said Ian Chandler.
'We now have a young, fit side who can be a little over-eager at times.
'But that is the nature of youngsters.
'The side showed today that they have bags of promise and we are pleased with the start even though we didn't win.'
Portsmouth II lost 19-10 in a friendly against Haywards Heath with Tom Harkin scoring a try and Simon Morgan notching a penalty and a conversion.
Meanwhile, Portsmouth IV suffered a hefty 50-3 away defeat against the Isle of Wight.
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Weather for Portsmouth
Thursday 24 May 2012
Today
Sunny spells
Temperature: 15 C to 24 C
Wind Speed: 12 mph
Wind direction: West
Tomorrow
Sunny
Temperature: 13 C to 25 C
Wind Speed: 22 mph
Wind direction: East
