Dolphins took on 2nd placed Ellingham & Ringwood today at The Lane on a beautiful crisp afternoon perfect for rugby.
It took the Havant boys 12 minutes to build to their first score where after 6 phases of attacking play Fly Half Harry Rabjohn went in at the corner. He then converted his own try from out on the side line. 7-0. His first of 7 conversions today with a personal tally of 19 points that took him to 217 for the season. 2 minutes later Winger James Wise went in for his first and 5 minutes later added another for a brace today to take him to 21 tries for the season and 105 point tally. 19-0. Dolphins scrum was dominant with its front row of Jez Smith, Tom Holloway and Jarod Leat making evey scrum difficult for the opposition. However, the line out wasn't functioning well and E&R showed they were not going to roll over and their No.8 crashed over for a try which was converted, 19-7. From the kick off Dolphins went through 5 phases and centre Wayne Dugan weaved his way to the line, 26-7. Again E&R replied through their No. 8 26-12. Then came the contender for try of the day as E&R failed to clear their lines and after two phases of forward attack from the Dolphins Harry Rabjohn kicked a perfect cross field kick into winger Chris Buckets arms and he beat the two covering players to score. Half time 31-12.
In the second half it took Havant 7 minutes to register another score as flanker Charlie Davis crashed over. They then secured the kick off and the backs ran hard centre Will Perry put Rory Penfold away at the half way line and he beat all the defenders on the outside to score in the corner, 45-12. But E&R were still not out of the game and they ran in a tap and go penalty, 45-19. Dolphins immediately responded when Joe Nolan did the same to them with a tap and go to crash in. 52-19. There was then a period where neither side could quite get it right to score, but eventually flanker Harrison Chalk tap and went on a free kick from base of scrum and scored for Dolphins, 59-19. E&R were determined to get the fourth try for the bonus point and Dolphins seemed to have eased off on the tackling. E&R crossed over twice in quick succession to round the game out at 59-29.
Confident first appearance of season for scrum half Nathan Evans and Patrick Warriner made an impression when he substituted on for James Wise. E&R awarded Harry Rabjohn Man of the Match. A couple of milestones for individual players and a big marker from the Dolphins with 14 wins from 14 and now have a 19 point lead in the table over Gosport & Fareham.
Portsmouth derby game next Saturday ... lets go Hav!