Mighty battlers Millbrook RFC have reached the final of the Gales HSB Hampshire Cup.
Brook got the better of US Portsmouth for the third time this season to land themselves the chance of claiming the silverware for the second time in three seasons.
Confidence was high in the Five Acres camp after defeating the Services’ side twice in league action this term.
And the positive pre-match feeling was well-founded with Brook – fielding a full strength side with the return of Macca McNeish – breezing to a 39-0 victory to earn a final encounter against either Fordingbridge or Andover.
Sunny conditions produced expansive rugby from both sides, but it was Brook’s forwards who stole the show.
Fly half Rich Colmer slotted a penalty before eventual man of the match, Ratu Degei, opened the try scoring with a move off the line out.
Millbrook continued to turn over ball and a smart kick and chase by Rich Colmer saw him regain possession and offload to Sonny Bedwell for an unconverted try.
Another break into the US Portsmouth half saw Tom Colling held up over the line.
Shortly after, influential centre Dan Wade powered through tackles to dive over the try line.
The home side added a fourth try in a storming first half when the forwards’ powerful drives produced a Mike Trench try, converted by Mark Colmer for a 25-0 first half lead.
Brook’s momentum dropped after the break, but second row Luke Wilson continued to steal ball in the line out and after a quiet period Millbrook got back among the points when a great break from centre Mark Colmer beat several defenders as he darted in from 40 metres to touch down.
Millbrook had to manage for ten minutes with 14 men as captain Mike Randell was sin binned for not retreating at a penalty.
Whilst the visitors continued to push for their first points, Millbrook remained strong across the team.
The fight was taken out of US Portsmouth when Mark Colmer intercepted just inside his own 22 and sprinted the length of the pitch to score under the posts.
Rich Colmer added the conversion.
Brothers Mark and Rich Colmer dedicated their performances and 19 points to their uncle, Mike Colmer, who passed away recently.
Randell said: “We played a solid game. Our performance was won with all areas of our game functioning well.
“We look forward to an exciting final.”
Andover host Fordingbridge in the remaining semi-final next Saturday, with the final earmarked for the first weekend of May.
