With the official opening of the new clubhouse completed on 26th November, it was time to get down to the business of trying to achieve the 1st XV ambition of winning Hampshire 2 outright and moving up a league into Hampshire 1. The first fixture in December was away to Overton, a fixture that saw the away side dominate to start only to relinquish in the later stages of the game to lose 29 points to 17. The 2nd XV fared no better, starting with just 13 players and borrowing one of Portsmouth’s backs, the home side slumped to a 32 – 12 defeat. 17th December saw both the 1st and 2nd XV in action at Aldershot Park, 1st team were playing Alresford and the 2nd XV facing local rivals Farnborough. The 1st XV won 17-8 in an attritional game, that saw A&F win in the last 10 minutes of the game. The 2nd XV were not so fortunate and suffered a 34-12 defeat.
Meanwhile the U15 team ‘The Herd’ went to Totton near Southampton and completely destroyed the home team in a memorable win that earned them a match report in the local newspapers. 32-0 the final score.
January will see home fixtures for both senior squads:
7th January – Home to Haslemere (Friendly)
14th January – 1stXV vs Fareham Heathens, 2nd XV vs Southsea Nomads
21st January - 2nd XV away vs Alresford
28th January – 1st XV away vs Southampton, 2nd XV vs Fawley.
Training is on Tuesday and Thursday nights for seniors from 19:00 – 20:30, Wednesday from 19:00 for the colts and Sundays from 10:00 for all other age groups. All abilities are welcomed to pop in to the new clubhouse and see what we are all about.