Havant ready for big night against Tottonians'¦Â Portsmouth host Bromley with Twickenham lure

Havant and Tottonians compete in the new Hampshire Challenge Trophy under the Hooks Lane floodlights tonight (8pm).
Scott Morris in action as Havant beat Hove on their new pitch last weekend. Picture: Keith WoodlandScott Morris in action as Havant beat Hove on their new pitch last weekend. Picture: Keith Woodland
Scott Morris in action as Havant beat Hove on their new pitch last weekend. Picture: Keith Woodland

The home club are hoping Friday night rugby will attract a larger than normal crowd.

This competition replaces the Gales HSB Hampshire Cup which had become increasingly difficult to fit into a packed league season.

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The winners of tonight's game will meet Bournemouth in a cross-county challenge later in the season.

Floodlit games are a rarity in the county and have proved popular in the past.

Last season a sizeable crowd turned out at Burnaby Road to watch United Services Portsmouth take on Portsmouth in a Hampshire Bowl contest.

Tonight's game has the added attraction of being played on Havant's brand new artificial grass pitch.

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The home side unveiled their facilities in style last weekend with a confident home league win against Hove.

Meanwhile, Portsmouth are on the Twickenham trail as they entertain Bromley in the RFU Senior Vase at Rugby Camp on Saturday (2pm).

It is a repeat of last season's meeting between the two clubs in the same competition.

On that occasion Portsmouth came out on top after a competitive affair.

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Home coach Neil McRoberts believes the fact the final is held at Twickenham gives the players an added incentive.

He said: '˜The team that goes through will find themselves three games away from a Twickenham final.

'˜That is a big motivator for any player.

'˜It is a good competition to be in and a welcome distraction from the pressures of league rugby.

'˜We are fielding a strong side but at the same time using it to give a few players an opportunity.

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'˜All of our team have played in the senior side this season.

'˜A few have found themselves on the fringes and this is a chance for them to shine.

'˜Others can have a well-earned rest.

'˜We are moving into a very important period in the league as we head towards Christmas.

'˜It affords us a chance to work on a few things ready for that.'

The visitors are currently eighth in London three south-east having won four and lost four of their league games.