Southsea Nomads 40 – Alresford 24
(21st September 2024)
Alresford travelled to Southsea on an unseasonably warm September afternoon for our first match of the season, with a youthful new squad of players ready to test their mettle over the upcoming months.
Alresford kicked off the first half with both teams keen to get the upper hand early on. However, if was the home team who, after 6 minutes managed to breach our defence with the first try of the afternoon. The resulting conversion made the score 7-0 to Southsea.
A second converted try followed shortly after, extending the home teams lead to 14.
Despite increasing pressure and territory from Alresford, it was the home team who scored again, making the scored 21-0 to Southsea.
However, in what we hope will be a portent for the rest of the season, Alresford refused to buckle, and manufactured a superb team try. A missed conversion, but we were now well and truly back in the match at 21-5.
And hopes were raised shortly after, with our second try, with backs and forwards combining to slice open the Nomads defence. The resulting conversion made it 21-12 to Southsea, which remained score at half time.
However, it was the home team who were first on the board after the break, with an unconverted try – 26-12. A second try of the half followed soon after – 33-12.
In the past, there may have been a worry that we would have buckled under the pressure of conceding these tries, but this is a new era of positive rugby for the club, and undaunted, we proceeded to probe their defensive line and were rewarded for our endeavours with a close range converted try – 33-19.
And to the delight of the away supporters, a fourth, bonus point, try was scored bringing us right back into the match at 33-24.
However, Southsea were not to be denied and scored the final try of the afternoon just before the final whistle, to make the score at the end;
Southsea Nomads 40 – Alresford 24.
Despite the defeat, there are so many positive to take from the game – our line out was superb, we scrummaged the home team backwards on numerous occasions, and there were so many encouraging signs that our backs play will improve exponentially as players get used to each other. Four tries, albeit in a losing performance, should be rightly commended, as should the desire and positivity that made this a close match right to the end.
Our thanks to Southsea for a match played in the right spirit, and we look forward to welcoming them to the Arlebury later in the season.
Our next game is at home to Alton on 28th September and we look forward to seeing you then.
