Pearce fires warning to triumphant Portsmouth

Anthony Fooks, Tom Whitehouse, Matt Farnes and Mark Ovens all scored a brace.

Finn Parry and Luke Simmons also secured touchdowns with Simon Morgan adding six conversions.

Director of rugby Jim Pearce felt it was an old school Portsmouth performance.

‘We raced into a 24-0 lead and then took our foot off the gas,’ he said.

‘This allowed them to get into the game a little.

‘Then in the second half we stepped it up again to score another 45 points.

‘It won’t be so easy next weekend when we meet Old Cranleighans in the RFU Senior Vase!

‘We need to have as many players at training as possible to prepare for that one.’

Portsmouth are third in the London three south west table, 10 points adrift of joint leaders Old Cranleighans and Old Emanuel.

United Services took another step closer to the Hampshire one title with a thumping 46-15 home win against Overton.

Unbeaten Services hold a 10-point lead at the top with four games left to play.

In Hampshire two, Southsea Nomads enjoyed a thrilling 32-28 win over Aldershot & Fleet at Furze Lane.

It was revenge for a heavy defeat suffered in north Hampshire earlier in the season and Nomads captain Ben Horrod was happy to take the victory.

‘It wasn’t our best performance but I will take an ugly win,’ he said.

‘The lads worked so hard for the entire 80 minutes.

‘Importantly they didn’t let their heads drop when things went against them.

‘I will also pay tribute to physio Amy Radcliffe who gives us tremendous support on the touchline.’

Nomads flew out of the traps with Joe Beale crossing for a try out on the right wing.

A second followed from Jack Barnard – with Horrod adding the conversion.

With the home scrummage dominant, Aaron Beesley added a third try before the visitors hit back with two first-half scores.

While Dan Hurry scored a try after the break, Aldershot again replied to lead with 20 minutes remaining.

The decisive score came when Beesley powered his way over the line after picking up at the base of a scrum.

Nomads are sixth, just two points behind Aldershot.