Things looking up for Portsmouth Rugby Club after securing successive victories for first time this season with Alton win

Portsmouth blew their opposition away with a blistering start at Rugby Camp, eventually running out 27-15 winners, securing successive victories for the first time all season.

Having started the day in 11th, they managed to end it sitting in ninth position - moving to within five points of the Alton side they defeated - currently in eighth - although they have played a game more.

And Richards is now looking to use the momentum from back-to-back victories to propel Portsmouth further up the division in the weeks ahead.

‘We’re up to ninth now and there’s not a lot between us and the teams around us,’ said a delighted Richards.

'When you look at it, we’ve played two top sides in the league post-Christmas, they’ve (Alton; sitting in eighth) have still got to play Petersfield next week and they’ll have to play Warlingham as well which will be a really tough battle.

‘I’m hoping they will perhaps have a slip-up and we might be able to put the pressure on them and get a little bit higher up the league.’

Portsmouth continued where they left off after the welcome win over Old Georgians last time out. Tries from Brad Atkins and Luke Peters - his third in two outings - followed an earlier converted penalty from Gareth Davies to hand the hosts a 17-0 advantage after just 11 minutes.

Stunned Alton got themselves on the scoreboard with a penalty of their own after 22 minutes but Aaron Beesley's unconverted try capped a superb opening 40 minutes for Portsmouth, who held a 22-3 half-time lead.

The home side suffered the double blow of losing second row Elliott Worrall to a broken rib and Beesley with a serious-looking knee injury soon after the restart.

Added to that, Alton grabbed their first try while Matt Hoban was sent to the sin-bin as Portsmouth were pegged back to 22-8 with a brief man disadvantage.

But any nerves were settled as Ant Fooks grabbed the fourth try bonus-point for the hosts and although Alton replied with a second try score, Portsmouth held on for victory which took them up two places to ninth in the table.

A message from the Editor, Mark Waldron

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