Having slipped up at Millbrook last week, Bognor faced U.S. Portsmouth, a club with a strong history, determined to make amends, and knowing that they could not afford to lose any more points if they were to remain in the mix for promotion at the end of the season. Although they finished the first half just two scores ahead, despite the fact that they had enjoyed wind advantage, Bognor never really looked like losing and eventually they cut loose for a convincing win.

With regard to the effect on league positions, Sandown and Shanklin suffered a surprising loss at Fordingbridge so the five points gained by Bognor moved them back up to second place, two points behind New Milton.

Star flanker Jamie Foote was missing with a hamstring strain but Head Coach Karl Flinn was able again to call on his Colts to bolster a strong-looking young side.

U.S.Portsmouth had the first opportunity to put points on the board but their kicker pulled the ball wide from 35 metres and fly-half Jack Lysaght cleared his line with a fine kick up to half way. Shortly afterwards, from a scrum seven metres from the visitors’ line, No.8 Josh Burgess picked up and fed flying winger Tyrone Makasi for an easy try.

Two penalties against them in quick succession saw Bognor back on their own five-metre line defending a lineout, but a great steal by Noah Flinn, followed by a strong carry into midfield by Shaun Bailey, enabled the home team to clear the danger. Unfortunately for Bailey, he injured himself during his charge, the young hooker limping on until halftime when he was replaced by ex-Springbok Marc Voigt.

Another fine clearance by Lysaght moved his side sixty metres up the field but, after 25 minutes, he took offence at some intimidation and was yellow-carded by referee Stuart Godwin for retaliation. By this time Bognor had conceded nine penalties and, as a result, were unable to build any momentum, the game slowing to a snail’s pace of set pieces. Bognor were certainly guilty on the odd occasion of straying a fraction off-side and of competing for a ball at the tackle area when it would have been better to concede possession. However, the experienced Godwin who, as always, had a firm control of proceedings, had an off-day overall and was responsible for missing obvious infringements and, at times, giving strangely confusing messages to both teams.

U.S.Portsmouth missed yet another penalty and the game was drifting towards halftime when, finally, Bognor were able to put several quick phases together and Nathan Archer showed slick hands to put Josh Burgess over for the second try of the afternoon.

Darren Bidwell replaced Russ Watmore at the start of the second half and he was joined by seventeen-year-old Ollie Mitchell, making his second appearance for the 1st Team. Mitchell, son of club legend and ex-1st Team hooker, Paul, was Colt of the Year last season and is certain to have a long-term future in senior rugby.

With Bognor now playing into the wind the big question was whether their ten point lead would be enough to keep the visitors at bay. The answer came just three minutes into the half when the ball was moved swiftly across the whole width of the pitch, allowing full-back Dan Robinson to cut an excellent line and present Makasi with his second try.

Five minutes later all memories of a mediocre first half were dispelled as Lysaght judged a cross-field kick to perfection and Makasi crossed for his hat-trick try, earning his team a bonus point at the same time.

With three quarters of the match gone Bognor were finally playing at a pace with which the visitors were unable to cope, some strong runs by Charlie Weller and Charlie Jays adding to the huge pressure on their opponents’ tiring defence. After more aggressive surges by Chris Webb and Burgess, the ball was quickly moved to the backs and Lysaght looped around before finding Robinson, coming into the line at real pace and touching down for try number five. Scrum-half Bradley Caparo had been striking each conversion attempt cleanly but had been thwarted partly by the conditions and also by the fact that all four previous tries had been scored out wide. This time, though, the youngster made no mistake and Bognor were 27-0 ahead.

Five minutes later another intelligent attacking kick, this time by Robinson, allowed Makasi to pounce on the loose ball for his fourth try, converted by Caparo.

With time running out, the best try was saved until last. Robinson capped a great personal afternoon by running hard and presenting man-of-the-match Makasi with a perfect pass. Last season’s Supporters’ Player of the Year needed no second invitation as he flew over for his fifth try of the match and his twelfth of this season to date. Caparo added the extras with his third successive conversion.

This Saturday Bognor entertain high-scoring Ellingham and Ringwood who have lost just once this season, to table-leaders New Milton. It should be a fascinating encounter and all support is welcome.

Team:
D.Robinson, O.Fuller, J.Newton-Young, N.Archer, T.Makasi, J.Lysaght, B.Caparo, C.Webb, S.Bailey, C.Weller, N.Flinn, S.Stevens(Capt), R.Watmore, C.Jays, J.Burgess
Replacements:
M.Voigt, D.Bidwell, O.Mitchell