Bognor kept up the pressure on league leaders US Portsmouth by beating Fareham Heathens 34-10 in this thrilling London & SE Division Snow Groups Hampshire match.
This win keeps them in second spot, on 62 points, only 10 points behind the table-toppers.
The last time these two met in the league, double tries from Jack Hornibrook gave Bognor a comfortable 33-21 victory over the Heathens.
Bognor were looking for a similar result this time and both teams looked ready for a tough contest.
Skipper Lee Balchin had to vacate the pitch early into the game after sustaining a nasty injury when he was kneed in the kidney during a ruck.
It didn’t take long for Bognor to get points on the board when Sean Power scored a penalty. He then followed that up with another one, giving Bognor an early 6-0 lead.
Fareham scored a penalty themselves before taking the lead when their full-back dashed towards the corner and pressed down. He then followed that up with a conversion, making the score 10-6 to the visitors.
Bognor regained their advantage after good handling from Joshua Riggall and Sam Newcombe resulted in a try scored.
Pat Gains was introduced and immediately made an impact when his run through the middle of the pitch inspired more aggressive phase play and the subsequent maul ended with Adam Knight scoring a try.
Bognor were then awarded a penalty try in which they were successful, taking the score to 27-10.
The hosts kept the pressure on Fareham and were rewarded for their hard work and determination with another try, this time scored by Danny Greenslade.
Bognor: C. Webb, J. Lang, T. James, J. Barlow, D. Bidwell, L.Balchin, G. Castleton, J. Burgess, B. Toone, S. Power, P. Burnett, J. Riggall, S. Newcombe, D. Greenslade, P. Gibbs, P. Gains, R. Chute, A. Knight
The Hampshire Avenue outfit will have to wait until March 3rd for their next fixture which sees them face bottom-of-the-table Ventnor, who only have 1 point from 15 games.
Picture: Jack Hornibrook in action against Fareham last year.
