McRoberts pleased with Portsmouth progress

Portsmouth made it two wins out of two for new coach Neil McRoberts with a 35-27 success at Trojans on Saturday.
Simon Morgan was in fine form for Portsmouth. Picture: Duncan ShepherdSimon Morgan was in fine form for Portsmouth. Picture: Duncan Shepherd
Simon Morgan was in fine form for Portsmouth. Picture: Duncan Shepherd

In a rousing London three south west derby, the lead changed six times before the visitors claimed their bonus-point victory.

The reliability of Portsmouth goal-kicker Simon Morgan proved the difference as he weighed in with three penalties and three conversions.

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The tries were scored by Luke Simmons (two), Dan Gates and Will Brock.

'˜This was a much better performance and a vast improvement on our opening game,' said McRoberts.

'˜We are making progress and if we keep moving forward we will be alright.

'˜In this game we sorted out our discipline and were far more patient to cut out the silly offloads.

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'˜Now we just need to tighten up a little bit more defensively.'

United Services stormed to a 50-26 win in their London south west three contest at Petersfield.

Services captain Rich Neil was pleased to get off the mark.

'˜We got back to the consistency needed in league rugby,' he said.

'˜Petersfield were a young side and in the end our greater experience told.

'˜As a side we have been together for a few years.'

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Ollie Barnes and Owen Herbert each scored two tries, while Will Rolfe and Bruce Neil also crossed the whitewash.

'˜This was a game of two halves,' added Petersfield coach James Alder.

'˜The first was a tough encounter with both teams pushing for points at every opportunity. 

'˜In the second, they started better and were more ruthless in their finishing.

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'˜We worked hard to create chances but could just not finish them off.'

Eddie Matthews, Nic Wilde, Matt Momber and Toby Sydenham crossed for tries, with Nick Blumlein adding three conversions. 

Jonathan Branston claimed a hat-trick as Southsea Nomads romped to a 60-5 Hampshire two win against Petersfield II.

Ben Horrod scored twice, while Ashley Emery, Liam O'Connor, Alastair Taylor and Alex Kasote also touched down.

Captain Horrod said: '˜It was a strong performance. When we play how we have been coached we are a hard team to beat.'

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