Portsmouth show levels they can produce with fine win over high-flying Old Georgians

Portsmouth gave a glimpse of what might have been with a confident 24-10 win against London Three South West high-flying side Old Georgians at Rugby Camp.
Thomas Hopkins goes over for Portsmouth against Old Georgians. Picture: Keith Woodland (29022020-252)Thomas Hopkins goes over for Portsmouth against Old Georgians. Picture: Keith Woodland (29022020-252)
Thomas Hopkins goes over for Portsmouth against Old Georgians. Picture: Keith Woodland (29022020-252)

Senior coach Neil McRoberts praised the performance of his team in difficult conditions.

The victory saw Portsmouth avenge a heavy defeat at Old Georgians earlier in the season.

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‘In the last two weeks we have produced two excellent displays against top three sides,’ beamed McRoberts.

Thomas Hopkins forces his way over. Picture: Keith Woodland (29022020-427)Thomas Hopkins forces his way over. Picture: Keith Woodland (29022020-427)
Thomas Hopkins forces his way over. Picture: Keith Woodland (29022020-427)

‘It shows that with a little bit more consistency we could easily have been up their with them.

‘To beat a quality side like Old Georgians as well as we did is very pleasing.

‘We mastered the weather conditions perfectly and dominated the game.

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‘Our ball-handling skills came to the fore in the wind and the wet.

Match action. Picture: Keith Woodland (29022020-3)Match action. Picture: Keith Woodland (29022020-3)
Match action. Picture: Keith Woodland (29022020-3)

‘Also, we showed great accuracy in finishing off our chances when they came along.

‘That is something that has eluded us at times this season.

‘Also, our defence, when needed to be, was secure and well organised.

‘All we can do is focus on keeping our performances up between now and the end of the season.’

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The only pitch available at Rugby Camp was the veterans surface and that was only due to a band of willing helpers who answered a call for help to clear the pitch of water.

They did a fantastic job to enable the game went ahead and with a combination of sunshine and a gale force wind, the pitch dried out surprisingly well.

Portsmouth struck first after three minutes when Finn Parry linked well with Kieran McRoberts to put centre Noah Cannon in for a try.

The home side were forced to defend for a period, putting in a series of crunching tackles.

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Eventually, though, the Old Georgians levelled the scores with a try wide out.

Portsmouth's response was immediate and emphatic after the visitors' knocked-on the restart.

From the scrummage, centre Ben Jeacock made a good break before passing to Dan Fleming.

The second row forward made good ground before releasing winger Tom Hopkins for a try in the corner.

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Hopkins notched his second score, sending his team into the break with a 17-5 lead.

Early in the second half, Cannon went over for his second try, giving the home side their bonus point.

Forwards and backs combined well before Cannon beat off several defenders to score.

Old Georgians claimed the only other score of the half, but the city club ran out comfortable winners.

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‘We are still on target to win all our home games since Christmas,’ added McRoberts, who is standing down at the end of the season.

'If we end up winning eight of our last 10 games then that is the type of form needed in the future get out of this league.'

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