03/09/2026
Match report by Paul Colley
USP 1XV vs Bognor
United Services Portsmouth had their first hit-out of the season against last season's Counties 1 champions, Bognor. With the two-league differential, US expected a tough pre-season match.
The task was made somewhat tougher with several late withdrawals, leaving US with 22 players versus Bognor's large 40-man squad.
The game started with US facing a very strong wind, leaving no option to kick for position, and Bognor could pin the Red & Blue deep in their own half. Scrums were pretty even, with US getting the occasional nudge, and again, the lineouts were also pretty even, with Lilley & Cosh solid on their own ball and pressurising the Bognor throw.
The game was fairly tight, but operating deep in their own territory eventually took its toll, with the Green & Whites scoring a couple of well-worked tries.
After 20 minutes came a double blow, as skipper Cam Moore and Vice-Captain Oli Lilley both left the field injured.
However, it was time for Club Captain Baz Barnes to step up, both in defence with crunching tackles and combining with new Navy player Kieran Robinson in attack to carve some nice openings in the centres.
Reade & Hammond were carrying hard and forcing Bognor onto the back foot. Quick ruck ball and nice hands from Klappholz saw Barnes hit the hole, round one and through another, and US were on the scoreboard.
US now had probably their best period of the game. Still playing into a significant wind, ball retention was good, and big prop Merrikin hit a lovely line to crash through for US's second score.
Kicks from out wide against the wind were almost impossible, but with 10 points on the board, US were still in it.
Bognor had a lot of attacking threats and rounded the half with another try to close the half at 10-26.
With the use of the wind, Klappholz pinned the Green & White back, and a series of well-worked lineouts led to an excellent drive for Norrish to score on debut.
The third quarter closed 15-26, and it was a hard-fought, competitive game so far.
However, US were regularly losing players to injury and, as they entered the last 10 minutes, Bognor showed their class to pull away and score two more excellent tries.
With five minutes to go, US were down to 14 players, and Bognor showed their league-winning form. Their 13, both wings and 15 showed tremendous pace and skill to run in three tries against a tiring side.
Final score: United Services Portsmouth 15-57 Bognor
Mark & I took a lot from tonight. It was always going to be tough, but I was very pleased with the heart and skill we demonstrated. Bognor have a lot of pace and, ultimately, we just ran out of gas.
We wish Bognor all the best as they step up to regional rugby. It is a big step, but they have pace across the whole team, so they should go well.
Man of the Match
Baz Barnes - thunderous tackles, strong lines and excellent leadership.
Runners-up
Ed Reade - came on after we lost Oli Lilley and gave us much-needed go-forward.
Charlie Norrish - on debut, slotted in extremely well with great energy and power.
*Photos by Keith Woodland*
