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Vikings sunk late on

Saturday, 04 May 2013 07:52

Gosport and Fareham Vikings (the 2nd XV) finished the season on a high despite losing to Chichester 22-20 in the semi-final of the John Collins Cup under the floodlights of Gosport Park on Friday (26th April).

Gos started the game well and were aggressive from the kick off. It was not long before Chichester showed why they are in the top two in the Solent League with a converted try scored with some slick hands out wide and a difficult kick.

The home side came under more pressure from Chi but soaked it up and some top tackling from Flanker Anthony Reynolds led to a counter attack deep into opposition territory and a penalty opportunity for Fly Half Alex Duncombe, which he kicked with ease.

The Vikings regained the ball at kick off and some clever build up play and a break from Centre Tom Barnes gave his fellow centre Josh Whitehead an easy finish from five metres out, Duncombe slotting the conversion.

Gos went into the break 10-7 up with all the play for and things looked bright for the Vikings having really rattled Chichester in the first 40 minutes.

Five minutes into the second half the Chichester pack showed how well drilled they are with a lineout move and driving maul that the Vikings couldn’t stop but fortunately for G&F the try remained unconverted.

Chichester upped the tempo but Gos stayed in the game by continuing to be aggressive at the breakdown, in defence and running hard when in possession of the ball. A drop goal from Chi stretched their lead to 15-10.

Photo: Roger Smith. More pictures in the Photo Gallery.

With 15 minutes to go Chichester looked like they were going to take charge of the game but an interception try ran in from 80 metres gave Whitehead his second try of the game and the conversion added by Duncombe gave the Vikings the lead once again.

Once again this gave Gos the energy they needed to up it a level again. Some great carries in close quarters by the forwards, especially Man of the Match number 8 Matt Flower led to a difficult penalty opportunity 45 metres out wide on the right. Duncombe composed himself and struck the ball with precision to send it straight between the uprights.

With two minutes to go and the Vikings looking like they were going to take the scalp, a scrum on the half way line was turned over dubiously and then when Flower looked like he had turned the ball back over, a penalty was awarded to Chichester. The Blues kicked to the corner and from the resulting lineout Chichester drove over to score. The game hinged at 20-20 with the conversion from out wide to come. The Chi outside half kept his cool and added the conversion.

Gos regained the kick off in one last ditch to overturn the score but it wasn’t to be and the Vikings finished the game losing 22-20.

The Vikings sidelined skipper Danny Gamblin arrived early in the first half to watch the game, coming straight from the hospital after his thumb operation and said after the match: “What a game! I’m so proud of how we performed. It sets us up for another great season next season.

“If we continue to work as hard as we have done this campaign then I think we can push the Basingstokes and the Chichesters of this world week in, week out.”

Senior Coach Simon Pickett described himself as “gutted but not disappointed”.

‘We aimed to take it to Chichester and compete for the full 80 minutes. We did that and Chichester knew they had been in one heck of a game. The guys showed how good they really are tonight and produced a performance which did their talent and efforts justice. They did not deserve to lose tonight.

“It was great game to finish what has been a great season for the Vikings. Under the floodlights, with the big crowd which clearly spurred the lads on and the performance which the lads gave, I couldn’t be prouder.’

“I just hope the guys continue to develop and reach their potentials and I predict exciting times ahead next season, hopefully I will be back playing alongside them too!

Gos:

15 Penfold

14 Taylor

13 J. Whitehead

12 T. Barnes

11 Veiteve

10 Duncombe

9 Purdy

8 Flower

7 Reynolds

6 Snowden(C)

5 Willey

4 Roberts

3 Titchener

2 J. Gamblin

1 Westerman

16 Burns

17 O’Donoghue

18 Walker

19 Shepherd

20 Shilling

21 Whitney

22 Trivett.

In the money!

Monday, 15 April 2013 08:14

Recent winners of the Monthly Draws have been named.

They are: February: £30 N. Hardy, £15 Mrs. E. Bridgland, £10 J. Morgan, £5 L. Spiers.

March: £50 J. Smeeton, £30 B. Seeney, £15 P. Hobby, £10 B. Fitzgerald, £5 A. Burns

Find out more about how you can win cash prizes in the Monthly Draw section of this website at www.gosportandfarehamrfc.co.uk/supporters-submenu/monthly-draw.html

Well done young Sean

Monday, 08 April 2013 08:48

At the start of this season, Sean Shepherd was the stand-in touch judge and not old enough to play for the 1st XV.

But on Saturday he was presented with the March Player of the Month Award after stand-out performances over several weeks, especially during March.

Sean is pictured receiving a certificate from Club chairman Alan Foulger when the award was announced at Saturday’s League Lunch.

Sean will receive a tailor made club shirt from the online shirt maker Finicky who provide a shirt for the Player of the Month competition throughout the season.

In addition, Finicky donate tailor made shirts as Blackout raffle prizes at home matches - the prize the winner on Saturday was Rob Coles.

Finicky Master Tailor & Shirt Maker offer you the chance to own completely bespoke, hand-crafted made-to-measure shirts of outstanding quality that fit you perfectly every time at their website at www.finickyshirts.com

If you purchase any shirt, including our Club’s exclusive bespoke formal club shirt through our online Clubshop, you’ll get a 10% discount.