Petersfield 3rd XV (58) v Eastleigh 3rd XV (24)
It was a half-term special for Petersfield’s third XV as a duo of father and son combos helped Petersfield’s third XV to victory against a competitive Eastleigh team.
With the rest of the team made up of veterans and under-19s an uninformed spectator could have been forgiven for thinking they had stumbled upon a ‘bring your son to rugby’ day, or, depending on how cruel the individual was, ‘bring an old man’. The mixture of gnarled old hands and confident youth obviously worked though as the team racked up an impressive 58-points in the win at Penns Place.
From the kick-off grey-haired elder statesmen Bill Glancy and Bim Mackay took the game to the visitors, with Bim rampaging in the loose and setting up two tries for his son Jamie. Mazy running around the paddock also gained Jamie two more touchdowns and frustrated the visitor’s attempts to dampen the Field attack.
Captain on the day Glancy saw his scrum work and combative loose play rewarded as the backs capitalized on a good supply of ball allowing Jack Glancy to run in a brace of tries. Playing his first senior game at fly half, Jack also kicked four conversions and ably orchestrated the fast-paced attack.
Glancy Jnr was not the only back to cut a dash on the pitch. From on lightning foray debutante winger Tuff bravely took the chance to score, completing a 30m sprint after his hamstring gave out, sadly ending his game. On the other wing only an unintentional high tackle prevented a score by the hard running Loz Bigos. The centres Orr and Hooper proved outstanding with Orr’s direct running rewarded with a touchdown and Hooper’s aggressive tackling halting Eastleigh’s attempts to gain some forward momentum. At full back, Rummings continually threatened, carrying the ball at pace and distributing the ball with well executed, accurate, passing.
The scrum boys also played a full part. Under-19 props Fletcher and Faulkner, guided by a pumped up oldie, Rob Gargaro, ground down the stubborn Eastleigh front row. In the loose Fletcher carried the ball confidently and Faulkner rounded of the props’ dominant performance by crashing over for a popular score. Fellow under-19 and second row debutant Fitzpatrick showed maturity under the high ball and his abrasive charges left Eastleigh having to scramble hard to contain the exuberant 'Field attack. On the flank Patience was solid in defence and ambitious in attack, gaining him a deserved try in the hard contested but well mannered match.
To their credit Eastleigh did not cave in to the Field pressure and made a game of it until the very end; managing four well deserved tries two of which were converted.