Portsmouth Valkyries sign off home campaign with a flourish against struggling Ellingham & Ringwood

Despite what looked a straightforward victory, head coach Mark Witcher felt his side were tested.

The Portsmouth coach praised his defence after conceding just one try in the match.

‘There’s no such thing as an easy game,’ said Witcher.

‘They came back at us in the second half and our defence really impressed me to only concede one try.’

The hosts started brightly with a try after just three minutes from centre Georgie Outhwaite.

Portsmouth's handling was letting them down in the windy conditions, but number eight Sophy Roseaman grabbed the ball in the loose and rumbled forward with hooker Lou Langton on her shoulder.

Langton then eagerly crossed the line under the posts and scrum half Carrie Whymark added the extras for a 12-0 lead.

The visitors got on the scoreboard following a mazy run from their fly half.

But Abi Harding got on the scoresheet for the Valykries soon after.

The hosts had to reshuffle their half back pairing as Cheryl Goodwin was unable to play, with Charlie Morgan moved into fly half and Whymark to scrum half.

A superb dummy from Morgan opened up a gap which opened up a huge gap for her to coast in and add her name to the scoresheet as the hosts led 26-5 at the interval.

Portsmouth started the second half with an early try through left winger Laura Ineson for another seven-pointer.

‘We were happy that having changed the entire front row with 30 minutes left we didn’t take a backward step,’ added Witcher.

‘Carrie Whymark was outstanding in her first game at nine and once again Abi Harding showed her class.

‘With the season coming to an end, we have targeted three wins to cement our place in this league after promotion last year.’

Portsmouth sealed the win with a final try just before full-time.

Ineson got her second and Whymark capped a superb performance by converting to round off a 40-5 victory.