Gosport & Fareham 17 – Alresford 18 [1st February 2025]
Alresford travelled to Gosport on a grey, overcast day for our first match of the month.
Alresford kicked off the first half, and it became apparent that with a magnificent pack in the ascendancy, we had much optimism of taking something from the game.
Indeed, forward pressure and some superb incisive running from our backs relentlessly pushed the home team back, and this pressure resulted in the award of two penalties in the first 20 minutes, both of which were converted by the increasingly lethal boot of Harry Parkinson.
And to the joy of a small but vocal away support, it was Arlesford who scored the first try of the afternoon after 28 minutes. The resulting conversion made it 0-13 to the away team.
However, the home team showed why they are such formidable opponents on their own pitch with a converted try after 35 minutes, making the score at halftime 7-13 to Alresford.
The home team kicked off the second half determined to reduce the deficit, and following a passage of pressure, scored their second converted try, putting them in the lead for the first time at 14-13.
And the lead was increased with a penalty – 17-13.
However, with a resilience that will hopefully act as a defining moment of our season, Alresford struck back with a superb team try. With the conversion agonisingly hitting the post, the away team were back in the lead at 17-18.
Both teams could now sense a victory and the last 15 minutes became a battle of tired bodies desperate to find a gap in the opposition defence.
But to our delight, the away team held on for a heroic victory;
Gosport & Fareham 17 – Alresford 18.
To try and quantify the pride that I feel after that performance is difficult – we had 15 players, no subs, away from home against a very strong Gosport team, and yet, every man laid his body on the line, the defence was magnificent, we attacked where appropriate, and thoroughly deserved the win. To do the double over our opponents is an achievement that should be rightfully applauded. Every player should be justifiably proud of what they did today and I hope that this pride and sense of achievement is carried forward into training and our remaining matches of the season.
Our thanks to Gosport & Fareham for a superb match played in the right spirit, and we wish them well for the remainder of the season.
We return to the Arlebury on 15th February , when we welcome Hook & Odiham, and we look forward to seeing you then.