Portsmouth players heed warnings and deliver brilliant win at Old Georgians

Recent problems, including conceding two many penalties, had been highlighted ahead of the London three south west match.

But McRoberts was so happy with the reaction he got from his players.

The Portsmouth head coach said: '˜This was a brilliant win against very well organised, capable opponents.

'˜They were big physically and capable of moving the ball and mixing it in the tight.

'˜I have to congratulate our players with the discipline they showed in a difficult game.

'˜We reduced the number of penalties conceded to half of that in recent games.

'˜The one yellow card we received was an unfortunate one.

'˜Our first and last try came from excellent sustained playing through the phases.'

Portsmouth raced out of the blocks to score a try inside the first five minutes.

From a line-out Tim Snowden combined with Loius Bristow and the latter forced his way over the line.

Any thoughts it might prove easy for the visitors were quickly shattered.

The home side hit back to score two converted tries and two penalties to stretch into a 20-8 lead.

Portsmouth claimed an important score just before half-time when Mark Ovens finished off a good combined movement between forwards and backs.

A Morgan penalty and a Finn Parry try put the visitors back in the ascendancy at the start of the second half.

Only a minute remained when Will Brock scored from a catch and drive at a line-out to claim the bonus-point try.

McRoberts is happy with where his team are in the league.

He added: '˜We have only lost once in the league so far this season and this keeps us in second place.'

United Services maintained the pressure on the top two with a 38-31 win at Andover.

Petersfield celebrated their first success of the campaign with a 10-8 win against Old Whitgiftians at Penns Place.