Royal Holloway 1st XV 28 – 3 Portsmouth 2nd XV
In gloomy, overcast conditions, the Holloway Rangers were dominant throughout the game scoring 4 tries and only leaking one penalty. It was definitely a day for the forwards with tries from Will Clark (2), Guy Hennings and Anthony Kent. Without injured fly half Dom Matthews, the Rangers drafted in Ben Bayley for kicking duties with two successful conversions. James Isaacs took over the duties scoring a penalty after Bayley had to retire from the game injured. At scrum and line-out time, the forwards asserted their authority. James Lynch was heroic at the line-out catching almost everything; as well as gobbling up opposition throws with ease. With all the momentum with the Rangers, big hits were flying in with solid defending right the way through the match. The backs put in a solid performance, but were not needed with the forwards bossing the majority of the game. One of Portsmouth’s only chances was held up on the line, thwarted by Will Clark and Andrew Bullmore during the second half. With the Rangers sitting at the top of the table with 4 wins from 4, they have a well-deserved week off. However, it is not party time yet with sterner tests awaiting them.