London SW3 ,Gosport and Fareham 17 pts Weybridge Vandals 27 pts
Despite the elements with a strong wind playing havoc with both teams handling, this game produced some fine rugby with Vandals scoring 2 superb tries inside 2 minutes at the start of the second half. These were against the breeze and paved the way for their victory. Gosport encouraged by an enthusiastic band of home supporters fought back with a penalty and a converted try to get within 2 points of the visitors total but Vandals re-established their authority with a penalty and another excellent try to take the game and record the double over the Hampshire side having beaten them on home soil earlier this season.
Both sides conceding several penalties in the testing conditions but both 15s threw caution to the wind running the ball often from their own 22 which made for exciting watching. Lock Anthony Tyrrell showed Vandals attacking intent as he collected the kick-off and drove forward for several metres. The pack then won a strike against the head and at the first scrum and they continued to dominate the set piece in these early stages. A turnover to Gosport lifted their confidence, a second turnover saw them awarded a penalty and a further infringement lead to a vandal player being yellow carded. Reduced to 7 in the pack Vandals were penalised at the next scrum, but Gosport failed to convert the kick, the ball rebounding off the post.
They were having the better of the line out exchanges but with the extra man they were still unable to score, and it was Vandals who came closest to scoring with hooker Kieran Cooke, no 8 Josh Carter and winger Ollie Day combining to go close. Back to the full complement Vandals struck the first blow after a blistering break by centre Harry Weatherall, the defence was nowhere to be seen as captain and fellow centre Harry Reed took an inside pass to dart over for the try which was converted by scrum half Dan Wellden. This was just the tonic Vandals needed with a half time approaching, but losing their discipline again, they were punished as Gosport, ignoring an easy kick went for the attacking line up and a well organised set piece saw them drive over for a try which was well converted. Stirring half time words from coach is Damien Porter and David Hoade had the desired effect as immediately on the resumption Vandals won possession and had Gosport on the defensive. The home side did win another line out, but poor a poor kick enabled Vandals to counterattack. Another good run by Tyrrell and typical surge from flanker Karl Hoade was well supported by prop Craig Decoteau and it was he who scored. Wellden was unable to convert but made no mistake a bit later when Weatherall carved an opening for his captain and Reed took full advantage with Gosport defence well beaten.
Leading by 12 points seemingly now in control Vandals lost concentration for the next few minutes and paid the price as Gosport kicked a penalty for an offside infringement and boosted by this score stormed back into the attack and broke through Vandals defence to score under the posts for an easy conversion. The try was greeted vocifereously by the partisan home crowd who urged their side to go on and win the game but Vandals rallied and came back strongly. First fly half Tom Bolger showed his elusiveness and then another break by Reed from an offside infringement was just held up by desperate defence, but the referee pulled the players back for the the offside and Wellden slotted over the three points. At 17-22 in Vandals favour Gosport could still snatch the result with a converted try, but winger Greg Lynch, who had a fine all round game, penetrated the defence to find Mark O'Mara up in support and there was no stopping him as he powered over for Vandals 4th try. Gosport still tested Vandals defence in the final few minutes but they could not penetrate with every Vandals player from prop Wayne Mason to full back George Bolster putting in try saving tackles.

Words by John (the Scribe) Farrow