Hav had an early chance to put points on the board when, 3 minutes into the match, they were awarded a penalty when Bridgwater went offside, but the kick at goal by flyhalf ‘Pucs’ Ngapaku went wide. Bridgwater then struck back three minutes later when Hav went offside on their 22 metre line and their fly half, Christian Wulff, slotted a penalty goal. Shortly after, Havant were awarded a penalty midfield and kicked to touch. A ruck from the ensuing lineout led to the ball being passed down the three-quarter line and winger Matt O’Shea went over for a try, only the fourth scored by the backs in the league this season! A missed conversion kept the score at 5-3 on 10 minutes.

It wasn’t long before Bridgwater were back on top. They forced their way into the Hav half and a then good break by scrum-half Matt Britton enabled fly-half Wulff to cruise in for a try that he himself converted to make it 5-10 after 17.

Although this was the final score of the half, it wasn't through Hav's want of trying, with Neil McGovern, in particular, showing that he was getting back to form after a long lay off due to injury, making a couple of penetrating breaks.  Hav did manage to get over the line, and it would have been Matt O'Shea again, however the final pass was adjudged forward.

Bridgwater made the stronger start in the second half. Making quick progress into the Hav 22, they caught Hav offside and Wulff was able to put a further three points on the board to make it 5-13 after 44.

Play went up and down the field for the next 10 minutes or so with both sides making headway, but then losing possession. However, Hav were able to close the gap on 52, when Pucs slotted over a penalty to make it 8-13. Bridgwater counterattacked straight away thanks to another of Matt Britton’s killer breakaway runs although a forward pass prevented a score.

There were fifteen minutes of further 'to-ing and fro-ing' before Hav, at last, managed to get their noses in front, for the first time!  Catching their visitors offside, they kicked for touch near the line. A great driving maul by Hav looked certain to go over, but when it was illegally pulled down, the referee had no hesitation in awarding a Penalty Try for which Pucs added the extras to make it 15-13 on 69.

Bridgwater then raised their game, and kept Hav in their own half of the field, although stout defence kept them out for a while. However, pressure was rewarded when good work by the forwards released replacement centre Oliver Mansbridge who broke before laying on a pass to full back Sam Osborne running at full pace, who scythed through the Havant defence, to score under the posts. Wullf easily converted to put the visitors back in the lead at 15-20 with 6 minutes on the clock to go.

Showing a stamina not seen in recent weeks, Hav came charging back and pinned Bridgwater back in their own 22 for the remaining minutes of the match! Determined defence kept Hav out 'at all costs', one of which, 'pulling down a maul'  resulted in a sin-bin for a Bridgwater prop.  Attempting the touch, catch, drive option, Hav only got as far as the 'drive' when further sterling work from the visiting pack forced Hav to spill the ball on the line. Bridgwater survived the scrum and, with great relief, booted the ball out of the park to bring on the final whistle and give them the points.

Hav:

Steve Stapleton, Richard Buck, Neil McGovern, Jamie Knowles, Matt O’Shea, Pucs Ngapaku, Liam Davenport (Grant Morris).

Stu Ingram (capt), Steve Cruddas, Karl Randle, Nick Whittle, Ollie North, Matt Morgan, Tom Drewett, Jon Barfoot,

Replacements not used

Rupert Grant, Ben Morgan, Tommy Horn

Hav scorers:

Tries: Matt O'Shea, Penalty  Cons: Pucs Ngapaku 1  Pens: Pucs 1

B&A

Tries: 2  Cons: 2  Pens: 2