BATH & Wiltshire Romans turned in a spirited display at Portsmouth Navy Seahawks before going down 42-26 in their longest away trip of the season.

The Corsham-based visitors fielded a number of debutants, including Josh Strangward, Mark Peters and 16 year old Harrison Deards but went in at half time 22-6 down with only a try from Scotland Students international Tom Plance try, converted by Fijian Bruce Vuetanatotoka, on the board.

Ater the break Peters scored in the corner on his debut, Vuetanatotoka made a break in his own half to sprint in from 60 metres and Swansea University student Matthew Bodey converted.

Forward Joby Walsh went over for a try that Vuetanatotoka converted and Plance went in for his second.

The Romans are next in action when they take on Gloucestershire Warriors at Gordon League RFC, in Gloucester, on Saturday (2.30pm).