A strong start was not enough to see the Portsmouth Dreadnoughts overcome the Solent Thrashers at Test Park.
The Dreadnoughts opened the game with a long scoring drive, capped off by a 16 yard rushing touchdown from Running Back Kyle Phillips.
But the Thrashers quickly hit back with two scores coming through the air to see the Southampton side take the lead.
With halftime looming, the Dreadnoughts offense brought the game back into reach following another long drive with a passing score from Stu Rees to Benny Debrah.
Solent moved the ball well on the following drive but the game was stopped following a serious injury to a Thrashers receiver. The club wishes him a speedy recovery.
Following the long break, the defense held off Solent from adding another score but the offense had lost its rhythm, with three turnovers leading to a difficult second half.
Solent scored on both offense and defense and pulled away from the newly promoted Dreadnoughts, though Head Coach Luke Head-Rapson had this to say following the game –
“We have to take the positives from the game, we played well in the first half but the performance in the second half was certainly a concern. We know what we need to work on in order to compete in this division and will continue to improve throughout the season.”
Final Score: Portsmouth Dreadnoughts 14 – 41 Solent Thrashers
