First win in the Hampshire Premier League against Eastleigh II’s at the Rec by 25 -14

We welcomed Eastleigh II’s to the Rec for the opening match of the campaign. With the renovated posts not due back until Tuesday for Brownsey’s Field the match was played on the pitch on the main Rec. Neither side had played each other for a good number of years so what sort of match it would turn out to be was anybody’s guess. It was in fact a good game of rugby between two teams struggling with availability at the beginning of the season.
That said, both sides played extremely well and in fact it was Eastleigh who opened the scoring touching down under the posts. With the easy extra two added the home crowd were looking a little apprehensive. The game was played at a fast pace with no more additions to the scoreboard until just before half time when long time club stalwart Phil Collier touched down in the corner. Jamie Tryska narrowly missed the conversion and the half ended with the us just two points down.
As Eastleigh gathered Jamie’s kick off for the second half a pass was intercepted by Rufus Wallis who chipped over the defence. He could not gather his own kick, but Sam Broderick did to spot the ball down under the crossbar. Jamie added the extras and we were in the lead for the first time.
It was to be a lead that we would not relinquish for the rest of the match. Jamie Tryska continued his fine afternoon with the boot to slot two penalties to stretch our lead to eleven points. Our defence continued to keep out the well organised Eastleigh attack, bolstered by some superb tackling from Fordingbridge Man of the Match Jack Griffiths.
Some great interplay between our backs and forwards resulted in a try under the posts for Tim Beer which with the extra two added and only twelve minutes remaining put the game out of reach for Eastleigh. However, it was Eastleigh who not only denied us the bonus point win with some stout defence but in fact scored the last try of the match to bring the final score to 25-14.
Overall a good result for the opening match which we need to carry on next week with a home double header when the 1 XV welcome Tottonians II’s and the 2 XV play Sandown and Shanklin II’s at The Rec.