Gosport remain very positive despite defeat to Old Emanuel

Tom Lewis had an excellent game for Gosport & Fareham. Picture: Neil Marshall

New coach George Hillan felt he saw enough to be upbeat about. HeÂ felt the final scoreline didn't give a true reflection of the difference between the two sides.

He said: '˜Many a time we set up great positions and just didn't have that final polish to convert.

'˜There were a number of stand-out performances but in particular flanker Jimmy White covered every blade of grass.

'˜Tom Lewis was also a controlling influence at outside half.

'˜We remain very positive moving forward and know what we have to do.'

The Blue and Golds were guilty of a slow start which saw them fall behind to a converted try after seven minutes.

Dom Holling hit back for the visitors with penalties either side of half-time.

The tide appeared to be swinging in Gosport's favour as they started to have the lions share of possession.

Mistakes however led to the newly promoted home side running out comfortable winners with three more tries.

Hillan's team are on the road againÂ next SaturdayÂ in a local derby at Eastleigh.

Fareham HeathensÂ began life in the newly structured Hampshire Premier with a 22-5 win at Gosport & Fareham II.

Locks Heath Pumas had to settle for a try bonus point after losing 34-26 at Romsey in Hampshire one.

Pumas fell behind to a try after two minutes but soon hit back to take the lead.

Liam Moggeridge chipped the ball over the Romsey backs and Gus Flack gathered to score.

Robbie Connell added the conversion.

Sloppy play allowed the home side two further tries before LukeÂ Barfoot responded with a push-over effort before half-time.

Romsey stretched their lead at the start of the second half but Pumas soon showed their claws again.

Debut-makingÂ Barfoot went on to complete his hat-trick of tries and with Connell adding a conversion brought the visitors to within a point.

RomseyÂ closed the game out with a final try.

'˜We were a little deflated to walk away with just a bonus point,' said Pumas chairman George Winch.

'˜There are a lot of positives to take away and work on.'