PURLEY JOHN FISHER 16 bt US PORTSMOUTH 13

Purley John Fisher confirmed their timely return to form on Saturday with an impressive home win against a resurgent US Portsmouth in the London SW Division Four competition.

PJF captain Nick Wilson set his team a target of 10 league points by Christmas and is therefore "highly delighted that this important victory has seen us reach this goal in mid-November".

The visitors started strongly and took an early penalty lead.

This was short-lived as the ever-accurate Neil KirkPatrick levelled the scores with a well-taken penalty.

Just as PJF were beginning to take control with some impressive rugby, they were punished when of their moves went awry in the opposition 22.

The visitors' scrum half accepted the ball and ran the length of the pitch for an exciting converted try.

A second PJF penalty reduced the arrears to 10-6 at the interval.

Although they were losing ball in the loose, PJF became more dominant in the second half.

A great move from fly-half to outside-centre put CJ Wakefield over for the first of his two excellent tries, both scored in the corner.

The second one started at a lineout, from where the ball moved to the backs. It was a fine, flowing move with Dave Rotherham offering the final pass for Wakefield to score.

Trailing 16-10, US Portsmouth fought back, adding another penalty to reduce the deficit.

They also managed to cross the PJF line only to have the tryscorer ruled offside. PJF, playing their best rugby of the season, held on with Aston Smith, on for the last 20 minutes, having a major impact..

PJF's second XV were also successful against Chipstead.

November 14, 2001 16:30