Portsmouth Valkyries earn big success away to Guernsey

The impressive season continued for Portsmouth Valkyries with a big win away to title rivals Guernsey Ladies on Saturday.
Portsmouth Valkyries kept their form going with another win. Picture: Ian HargreavesPortsmouth Valkyries kept their form going with another win. Picture: Ian Hargreaves
Portsmouth Valkyries kept their form going with another win. Picture: Ian Hargreaves

The visitors went into the National Championship south east west one match in confident mood after some good planning and work in the build up to the game.

They had full belief they could go there and get a victory.

That was a result of some of the excellent preparation.

Plans were in place and even the early kick-off did not see them lose any of their focus.

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The work the pack have done recently with coaches shone through, with no scrum going backwards.

This allowed the backs to play the free flowing rugby the Valkyries have got used to. Suzanne Holbrook, at 10, particularly played well, allowing centre partnership Chloe Stopard-Baker and Cheryl Goodwin to score a brace of tries each. 

Jordan Wilshire and Sophy Roseaman carried extremely well in contact.

This quick ball caught Guernsey out, with their much bigger pack not being allowed to dominate. 

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The Valkyries were tested throughout the game, with the hosts crossing over for two tries as well.

At half-time the visitors were 25-5 up.

It took the Valkyries top of the table.

But on Sunday a big win for London Welsh Ladies at Witney saw them move top with 20 points from five matches.

The Valkyries are second with 18 points from four games.

Third are Guernsey with 16 from five games.

Windsor in fourth position have played only three games and they have 10 points.

Meanwhile, Havant Ladies are in fifth position with two wins from their five matches.

They were beaten 32-12 away at Windsor on Sunday.

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The next round of league matches take place on Sunday, November 18.

Valkyries are at home to Witney.

The home side will need to perform to their usual high levels and if they do so they will be favourites to get the win and keep their title charge going strongly.

Witney have lost all three of their matches played so far in the division.

Valkyries have a perfect win record and are the only team in the division yet to lose a match.

Havant host third-placed Guernsey in what will be a tough contest for them.