First half failures do the damage for Heathens'¦Â Pumas impress'¦Â Gosport & Fareham win

The composure was lacking for Fareham Heathens as a powerful Bognor side ran out 43-17 winners in their Hampshire League premier division meeting at Cams Alders.
By The Newsroom
Published 18th Nov 2018, 17:28 BST
Updated 18th Nov 2018, 18:41 BST
Dane Smallbone scores a try for Gosport & Fareham during the win against London Exiles. Picture: Chris MoorhouseDane Smallbone scores a try for Gosport & Fareham during the win against London Exiles. Picture: Chris Moorhouse
Dane Smallbone scores a try for Gosport & Fareham during the win against London Exiles. Picture: Chris Moorhouse

Heathens couldn't really claim to have deserved any better.

They weren't on top form.

Player coach Dave Wheaton admitted his side were second best.

He said: '˜A poor first-half performance, with uncharacteristic sloppy defence, allowed Bognor to dominate.

'˜We lacked composure, drive, want and spirit.

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'˜At half time we spoke about about composure, team work, and the need for some fire in the belly.'

'˜The lads responded in style putting Bognor on the back foot for almost the entire second half, scoring two tries in quick succession.'

'˜But we were always chasing a high score and all the damage was done in the first half.'

A powerful performance got Locks Heath Pumas back to winning ways in Hampshire one with a 27-7 win at Southampton.

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Chairman George Winch was happy with what he saw from the team.

He said: '˜All in all it was a good day for the Pumas.

'˜Our forwards won a lot of line-outs and scums to set up a good platform for our three-quarters.'

Robbie Connell knocked over an early penalty before winger Josh Engelbrecht went over for the first of his two tries.

And Connell converted a try of his own just before half-time.

Sean Nuttall also got a try in the second half.

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Southsea Nomads powered to an impressive 70-12 Hampshire two win at Aldershot & Fleet.

Jonathan Branston converted all 10 tries with an immaculate display of kicking.

Gavin Fewin, Ben Horrod and Alex Kasote all got two tries.

Matt Smith, Stewart and Crabb also crossed for a try each.

Nomads captain Horrod said: '˜This was our most complete performance of the season so far. 

'˜Our pack was dominant at both scrum and line-out and they carried very well for the whole 80 minutes.

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'˜This gave our backs the platform to work from and they scored some lovely tries. 

'˜The lads didn't take their foot off the pedal like we have done in previous matches.'

Gosport & Fareham powered to a 48-27 London two south west win against London Exiles at Gosport Park.

Related topics:Bognor