Sam Masters proves four-midable force in US Portsmouth's crushing season finale victory over Romsey... Gosport & Fareham finish as runners-up

Rampant US Portsmouth completed a final day rout at Romsey to end the season just a point shy of Hampshire 1 champions Tottonians 2nds in runners-up spot.
Watch more of our videos on Shots! 
and live on Freeview channel 276
Visit Shots! now

In what was a ruthless showing, visiting USP ran in 13 tries on their way to claiming a crushing 85-24 victory on the road.

Sam Masters was in sensational form running in four scores while Callum Cells rounded off the try-scoring to complete a hat-trick of his own.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

It might have been a massive victory to end the campaign but unfortunately it wasn't enough to oust Tottonians 2nds off top spot, who had claimed the league title last weekend.

Callum Cells ran in a hat-trick of tries as US Portsmouth defeated Romsey Picture: Keith WoodlandCallum Cells ran in a hat-trick of tries as US Portsmouth defeated Romsey Picture: Keith Woodland
Callum Cells ran in a hat-trick of tries as US Portsmouth defeated Romsey Picture: Keith Woodland

Hooker Orville Watson started what would become a try-scoring avalanche after just four minutes.

Full-back Masters was in the mood, running in two tries in quick succession to hand the visitors a 17-0 advantage inside 18 minutes.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

It was only mid-way through the first-half when Max Rolli made sure of the bonus-point with the fourth try while Callum Cells (two) and Masters was at it again before the break to complete his hat-trick.

Sam Masters bagged four tries in US Portsmouth's crushing victory at Romsey Picture: Keith WoodlandSam Masters bagged four tries in US Portsmouth's crushing victory at Romsey Picture: Keith Woodland
Sam Masters bagged four tries in US Portsmouth's crushing victory at Romsey Picture: Keith Woodland

Leading 45-10 at the interval, US Portsmouth did not let up as Stephen Gee got the second-half scoring up and running minutes after the resumption.

The division's leading scorer Billy Rolfe would get in on the act with a double of his own and Masters would add his fourth to make the score 71-10.

There was still to be some final punishment dished out by US Portsmouth, as Tom Shakespare added try number 12 then Cells capped a crushing victory by completing his hat-trick.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

n Gosport & Fareham finished behind champions Havant Dolphins as runners-up in the Hampshire Premier.

They ended the season with a 34-11 victory from their short trip to Locksheath Pumas, amassing 96 points with 19 wins from their 22 matches across the campaign.

Comment Guidelines

National World encourages reader discussion on our stories. User feedback, insights and back-and-forth exchanges add a rich layer of context to reporting. Please review our Community Guidelines before commenting.