The trip to Gosport Park has never been an easy one for Havant in recent seasons and today’s encounter was to prove no different.

Gosport had done the cup proud by putting on a fitting day for the Cup final, The Gosport masses turned out in style to support their team but so did the Havant faithful. Hundreds of Havant supporters were shuttled from the ferry to the ground to help create an amazing atmosphere for both teams.

One of reasons local derbies are often such tight affairs is that there are often few surprises because the teams know each other so well. The home side have been a tough nut to crack for all comers at home this season relying on their big pack to drive hard at the opposition and Havant knew this would be the pattern today.

Havant’s defence at times today was heroic smashing back wave after wave of Gosport runners and stopping their power game at source.

Havant probably surprised a few with their early advantage at the scrum and their were no surprises when Gosport made good yards through their powerful line-out drive.

Gosport took an early lead through the boot of winger Tom Lewis when and added to this with a second penalty.

Havant were pressing hard and felt that that Gosport should perhaps have had a yellow card as they clearly killed the ball with their try-line beckoning.

From the next play Havant moved the ball wide and powerful centre Ben Brierley ran over his opposite number for an opening try.

Gosport came back hard and using their driven line-out to good effect were making good progress into Havant territory. When one of these mauls collapsed Havant’s Ross Parkin was penalised and sent to the sin bin.

Gosport went to the corner again and from a series of drives managed to ground for a converted try by Mark Pollard.

Half-time: Gosport 13 Havant 5

Havant started the second half with real intent moving the ball around with good linking between forwards and backs. Some smart rugby moving the ball wide gave Ed Wilkes on the wing the opportunity which he took with a great score wide on the right. Scrum half Jake Reynolds knocked over a superb conversion, with a little help form the post and the visitors were within one point.

Havant continued to press with man of the match Jarrard Hayler carrying powerfully and when Gosport were penalised in front of their posts Jake Reynolds kicked the penalty to put the Hooks Lane squad in front for the first time.

Gosport pressed hard and had a try disallowed for a forward pass and in the dying minutes had a chance to win the game but Tom Lewis pushed the ball wide with his penalty.

With only seconds to play Havant went for a long range penalty attempt of their own and as Gosport tried to run it back out the Havant defence turned over the ball and kicked the ball off the field to claim their first Hampshire Title since 2008.

In a game that lived up to its pre-match billing Havant Coach Will Knight was clearly delighted,

“I am so pleased for the team – they have been on a journey for the last few seasons and this is just reward for all the hard work and commitment they have shown.”

“Gosport were every bit as tough as we expected, they play well to their strengths and are incredibly difficult to beat at home. There was nothing in it again today and they could have snatched it at the end.”

“I thought our defence today was incredible – there will be some very battered bodies tomorrow.But what a way to finish the season!”

“There is a real buzz at the club at the moment, a sense of real movement both on and off the field and these moments are important as they give the club some silverware to celebrate.”

“My thanks to all at Gosport they have staged a magnificent day here and to all the supporters that was a fitting atmosphere for the Cup Final. The club house after the game was amazing and what rugby is all about.”