Sat 28 Feb 2026, 14:00
After what seemed like an age Christchurch were back at home in Round 5 of the Hampshire Counties 6 (South) league, welcoming Portsmouth 2s to Grange Road.
Where do we start with this one, firstly there was a bright orange thing in the sky which made a nice change from all the wet weather everyone has had to deal with since Christmas.
The visitors started the brighter of the two teams and earned an early penalty in front of the posts and the resultant kick sailed between the uprights. Christchurch replied with a try from Kristan Woodland-Emery to take the lead 5 - 3. Then in what seemed like a miunute of madness Christchurch saw two players given the opportunity to have a 10 minute breather due to infractions at the breakdown. However, this seemed to inspire Christchurch who moved the ball quickly to the wing on two occiasions seeing Jake Pidgley score on both occiasions with Noah Legg converting both times, 19 - 3. Christchurch then found themselves down to 12, briefly, with another yellow when preventing a quick penalty by Portsmouth within Christchurchs' 5 meters which rightly resulted in a penalty try to bring the score to 19 - 10. Portsmouth then lost a player of their own to the bin and this allowed Christchurch to extend the lead further with a try from the returning Damon Quinn, converted by Noah Legg, 26 - 10. In what was turning into a most strange but exciting half Noah Legg then intercepted the ball around Portsmouths' 22 and had a clear run through to put the ball down under the posts before converting his own try, 33 - 10. More drama was still to come in the first half where Portsmouth saw a player receive a red card, this then allowed Christchurch via Sam Farnden to score a 6th try of the half which was converted by Noah Legg for the first half to end with the hosts 40 - 10 up.
The second half saw Christchurch play some fast moving rugby, Charlie Hatchard crossed the try line with Damon Quinn now taking on the kicking duties, 47 - 10. Sam Farnden then burst through for another try, converted by Damon Quinn, 54 - 10. A penalty try was next for Christchurch, similar to the one they gave away in the first half, Marc Harburn taking a quick penaly within the 5 meter that saw a Portsmouth player trip Marc on his way to crossing the line, 61 - 10. Christchurch never took their foot off the gas and another two tries from Sam Farnden, converted by Damon Quinn saw the lead stretch to 75 - 10. In a bit of good fortune an attempted cross field kick was fumbled by the Portsmouth player and this allowed Kristan Woodland-Emery to seize the opportunity by kicking the ball on and expertly gathering in full stride to run in under the posts for his second of the game, converted again by Damon Quinn, 81 - 10. Christchurch were still not done, scoring two more tries one from Sam Farnden and the other from Marc Harburn, both converted by Damon Quinn which left the final score at 96 - 10 to Christchurch.....WOW.
It may seem, based on the number of cards, that the game was a fractious one, far from it, they were down to some strong refereeing around the breakdown, and a couple of moments of madenss!!!
A huge thank you goes out to all who turned out to support the lads - it is truely appreciated.
Round 6 sees us travel to United Services Posrtsmouth 2s on the 7th March 2026, KO TBC, so keep an eye out on our socials this week for confirmation.
Christchurch scorers on the day were:
- Sam Farnden - 5 tries
- Marc Harburn - 2 tries, given the penalty try to him in this instance, he would of scored anyway....
- Kristan Woodland-Emery - 2 tries
- Jake Pidgley - 2 tries
- Charlie Hatchard - 1 try
- Noah Legg - 1 try and 5 conversions
- Damon Quinn - 1 try and 7 conversions
Player of the Match:
Jake Pidgley.
D*** of the Day:
Robert Tuck.
