Petersfield Colts Fight Back For The Home Win

The coaching squad was nervous as the lads took to the field for their first full length game against a strong team from Tadley. The September heatwave was in force but with rain in the mix. Hot, sticky rain...

Tadley certainly had the upper hand for the first half with many good initiatives from Petersfield coming to nothing through lost balls, knock-ons and penalty decisions. Tadley scored a try, a conversion and a penalty to lead the match 0-10 at half time.

The half-time team talk was very much a "good cop / bad cop" affair with Vicky's never-ending enthusiasm followed by Charlie's reminder that the lads were losing the physicality battle and to pull their fingers out and fight back!

Fight back they did. Just over a minute into the second half, a well earned try on the left wing try for Horsfall got the lads back in the game and into a better mental place. The long conversion fell a little short in the heavy rain.

Petersfield had firmly set up camp in the Tadley 22 and, on 45 minutes, Van Laun broke through for a great try - this time well in from the touch line. Chinnock slotted the conversion, taking Petersfield into the lead 12-10.

Another five minutes passed before Guthrie turned the pressure into another try.

Tadley seemed to find a "second wind" late on and fought hard in the last 15 minutes, leaving Horsfall and Bambrough-Smith to hold up the ball to prevent a try after a solid drive by Tadley. the 'Peef lads spent an uncomfortable 10 minute spell on their own try line before guiding play away to the safe zone.

Overall, a very close game and testament to the Tadley lads who didn't have the numbers and must have been exhausted by the final whistle.

Some great work today but also a fair bit to work on between now and out next competitive game on 24th.

Well done lads

UP THE RAMS