Agony for Bognor RFC as they lose by single point at Portsmouth

Despite suffering a one-point loss in a below-par performance, the two bonus points Bognor earned were enough to move them level with Winchester twos, who surprisingly lost at Andover.

Having narrowly beaten Portsmouth at home in a September cup-tie, Bognor knew this was going to be tough. The home pack enjoyed physical superiority for long periods and rarely allowed Bognor enough of a foothold to establish any control, while the Portsmouth fly-half punished the visitors with a fine display of kicking.

But had the last kick of the match- a penalty attempt from Jeremy Newton-Young- been just six inches higher instead of re-bounding off the crossbar, Bognor would have walked away with another five-point win, albeit one they did not really deserve.

Conditions were perfect but Bognor's high error count began early when a penalty kick to touch was mis-hit and, as a result, they found themselves under pressure deep inside their own 22. A knock-on by centre Matt Norrell gave Portsmouth an attacking scrum from which they took full advantage to score the first try.

Bognor stirred themselves and put together their first attack which ended with Norrell making amends for his earlier error by hitting a great line and crashing over near the posts. Newton-Young’s conversion made it 7-7.

Indiscipline at the tackle area, combined with poor decision-making, came to the fore again and the visitors were under self-imposed pressure. Portsmouth helped themselves to an easy penalty to regain the lead.

A superb run by full-back Freddie Hayes left four defenders in his wake, and returning skipper Charlie Jays was on hand to score Bognor’s second try, Newton-Young’s conversion giving his side a 14-10 lead.

Portsmouth’s second row was yellow-carded for a high hit on Ollie Mitchell and Bognor took advantage of the numerical superiority. A slightly forward pass from Hayes prevented a further score but, soon afterwards he set off on another mesmerising run. The Portsmouth defence had no answer as he stepped his way past five would-be tacklers to score an outstanding try.

Newton-Young was next on the scoresheet as he finished off a great move to touch down near the posts for a bonus-point try he converted himself.

With the score 26-10 in their favour Bognor appeared in control but Portsmouth hit back strongly and were held up over the visitors’ line. It was no surprise when their speedy winger found a gap to cross over in the corner and narrow the half-time gap to nine points.

The second half began with more indiscipline from Bognor and the home forwards imposing themselves in set pieces. The visitors’ defence initially held firm but the pressure told and the home pack trundled over for their third try.

With the gap just two points Portsmouth smelled blood, while Bognor seemed unable to use what little possession they had. A loss of concentration at a scrum enabled Portsmouth to gain a penalty which they kicked to nudge them ahead.

Jays was sin-binned for a high tackle and the momentum was with the home team, only for Bognor No8 Jamie Foote to set off on a typical charging run and sell an outrageous dummy before flying over for Bognor’s fifth try.

This gave the visitors a four-point lead but the easy conversion was missed, the importance of which was emphasised as Portsmouth drove over for their bonus-point try and a one-point lead.

In the dying seconds a great penalty effort from Newton-Young was denied by the crossbar.

This Saturday (Dec 20) sees the biggest match at Hawthorn Road for many years as Bognor entertain Chichester for the first time since 2008.

On paper it looks as if there is nothing between the two teams so the battle for the O’Hagan Sausage Cup should be a cracker.