Conference Southern Premier

South London Storm 76pts Portsmouth Navy Seahawks 30pts

South London Storm made it 10 wins from 10 in an entertaining win over an improving Portsmouth side last Saturday.

A scorching hot day in Thornton Heath made conditions difficult for both teams in a game where attacks were definitely on top.

Tom Pryor was the star for the home side as he racked up four tries in a hugely impressive performance.

He started the scoring on six minutes finishing the first of a number of slick passing moves from the South Londoners and also grabbed the last try in the final seconds.

In between the large and vocal crowd were treated to a game that provided a great headline act for the 2009 Storm into Summer Festival.

After Portsmouth had replied to Pryor's early score the home team came up with possibly their best try of the season so far. Kurt Pitman regathered his own kick-off before quickly releasing the supporting Matt Smith. Smith then found Pryor whose pass allowed Brayden Dwyer to grab his opening four pointer in first grade.

Portsmouth replied on 20 minutes again when weak tackling allowed them to run in from 20 metres for another un converted score to leave Storm 12-8 up.

Storm then added a further four tries as they cut lose to put themselves 34-8 ahead at the interval.

Firstly skipper Luke Bonnor added his now customary score, going over from dummy half after Smith was held up short of the line.

That was quickly followed by a great finish from the returning Luke Higgins, who added a second on the whistle, but not before Dwyer also grabbed a double with a superb dummy and dash to the line from 40 metres.

The second half was a much more even affair as the heat started to make its mark on both teams.

Portsmouth grabbed their third try of the day within two minutes of the restart after the home team were penalised from the kick-off.

Pryor replied with a quick fire double for Storm within five minutes as he was twice set up by Dwyer.

Within two minutes of the second score brother Andy Pryor snatched his first try of the day as he showed great pace to break clear of the defence.

Guan's conversion saw Storm hit the half-century mark for the seventh time this season

Portsmouth never gave up though and they rocked the league leaders with two quick well-worked tries to pull the score back to 50-24.

Andy Pryor ensured Storm were soon back on the front foot with his second of the day before Adam Higgins burrowed over to stretch the lead to 62-24.

Portsmouth then grabbed their sixth try of the day before Storm finished with a late flourish.

Jamie Lester showed great pace to break clear before stepping the full-back for his fifth try in five games and Guan quickly grabbed his first of the day before Tom Pryor's fourth finished the scoring.

Earlier Storm A fought off a spirited Sussex Merlins in a London League encounter.

Despite being ahead from the third minute, Storm were never able to shake off the visitors until Andrew Vernon's last-minute try made the game safe.

There were strong performances from Vernon, Linval Antonio, Robert Seidu and Steve Bartlett as the home team solidified their hold on third place in the London League table.