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Match Report | 'Field Put On A Show Against Wimborne To Close The Gap
Chris Todd Reflects On A Performance Of The Season Contender In A Frosty Dorset Last Saturday
A terrific start to the New Year as Petersfield scored seven tries to the hosts' two for a bonus point win. The five points bring them to within two of fifth-placed Wimborne and three above Chobham. The top half of the table is in Petersfield's sights.
Luckily, southeast Dorset weather conditions were a little more benign than in some parts of Hampshire, and Wimborne’s pitch was playable while the Petersfield travelling support wrapped up well to counter the cutting breeze.
Availability of players gave the selectors food for thought, as an untried halfback combination was the main area of uncertainty. That said, Nick Blumlein moved to scrum half, while Director of Rugby Matt McLean, returning for his first full game this season, took the fly-half shirt. That this was of necessity did not appear to disadvantage Petersfield.
The pack, where consistent selection of eight from twelve players has made Petersfield’s set pieces something they are proud of, ensured opposition packs struggled to compete. The five backs mixed defensive commitment with good positioning and attacking energy.
With possession from the kick-off, Petersfield demonstrated their intent, forcing a penalty lineout from which they secured the ball. In the rough and tumble of a loose maul, prop Dan Sargent burst through to claim yet another try, adding to his considerable points tally for the season, which Blumlein converted.
Wimborne, meanwhile, hammered at the visitors' tryline, only to be rewarded in quick succession with two penalty attempts, which they elected to kick. 6-7
From a lineout on their right wing at halfway, Petersfield caught the ball and passed off the top to Blumlein, who fired a pass to McLean. McLean passed to openside flanker Karter Whittock, who burst through the Wimborne defence, setting the backs on his left off on a spirited run. Centre George Davis accepted the pass 30 metres out and pinned his ears back with winger Miles Sampson in support. Davis outpaced the defence and scored a showpiece try in the left corner, which was unconverted. 6-12
Wimborne replied with their own unconverted try at the end of the first quarter to bring the scores close and reminiscent of the opposite fixture at Petersfield in September. 11-12
A Wimborne defensive scrum seven metres out from their tryline was so disrupted by Petersfield that Wimborne’s number eight was forced to pick up a loose ball at the base and pass to his fullback, who kicked to clear their lines. McLean charged it down, and Sampson fell on the ball before Liam Perkins secured it. Oli Hunt and Perkins combined to drive forward and set up a ruck. From there, Dan Sargent, with Matt Momber driving him on, shunted his way the six metres to the line to score another unconverted try. 11-17
For the next 20 minutes, including the first five of the second half, neither team troubled the scoreboard until George Davis on the left wing was tackled 15 metres short. From the ruck, the ball passed by hand and kick-pass to the right wing and, after three phases, back to the left. Openside Karter Whittock was on hand to take the final pass of thirteen and power his way through the defence to score a converted try. In this phase of play, ten different players carried the ball. 11-24
Next on the scoresheet was player-coach number eight Liam Perkins. From a Wimborne five-metre scrum, Petersfield won the ball against the head with a powerful drive, allowing Perkins to pick up at the base and use the scrum as his shield to power over and score an unconverted try. 11-29
Petersfield rejigged their team with positions and personnel, bringing on their bench of Carl Sharrock, Seb Tuff, and Colt’s debutant Chase Thomas. While this temporarily disrupted the team, Wimborne used close support tactics to advance 40 metres and score a converted try. 18-29
Blumlein added a penalty in front of the posts to take Petersfield’s score to 32.
McLean, now in the centres, received a pass and, knowing the hosts were tiring and a little disheartened, danced through the defence to touch down under the posts for a converted try. 18-39
Will Mathews, after an excellent game in the centres both defensively and keeping the ball moving forward and across the backline, was rewarded for his efforts with an excellent converted try. 18-46
If the match against Chichester before Christmas had restored some confidence in the squad, this match demonstrated that Petersfield can play entertaining and winning rugby with all positions able to contribute to the open style of play built upon a dominant forward platform. One notable from this match was the apparent reduction in unforced errors, as everyone seemed to have more time to execute their role, and the skills appeared sharper.
Petersfield return to Penns Place next Saturday, 11th January, to play Andover (KO 3:00 pm), looking to avenge the lacklustre loss they incurred when they met at Andover last October.
Squad:
Sam Brown, Jack Janaway, Dan Sargent, Oli Hunt, Ryan Morse, Matt Momber, Karter Whittock, Liam Perkins, Nick Blumlein, Matt McLean, Miles Sampson, Will Mathews, George Davis, Sam Dawes, Brad Caparo, Carl Sharrock, Chase Thomas, Seb Tuff.
Match Summary
Try Scorers:
Dan Sargent x2
George Davis
Karter Whittock
Liam Perkins
Matt McLean
Will Mathews
Kicking Success:
Nick Blumlein: 5/7
Final Score: Wimborne 18 – 46 Petersfield
Whilst Farnham, North Dorset, Andover, and Newbury Blues were unable to play their respective fixtures due to frozen pitches, there was plenty of action elsewhere in the league. Tottonians edged Chichester in a low-scoring affair, emerging as 15-3 winners after being level at 3 apiece at the break. Seventh-placed Chobham put up a strong fight against third-placed Winchester, narrowly losing 22-27 in what appeared to be a closely contested encounter. Meanwhile, Bournemouth continued their fine home form with a dominant 49-15 victory over 10th-placed Guildford to put pressure on league leaders Farnham.
Regional 2 South Central League Table after GW14
We are BACK at Penns Place this Saturday as both the 1st XV and 2nd XV look to put on a show in front of what is expected to be a HUGE home crowd! On pitch 1, our 1st XV look to right their wrongs against 12th placed Andover, a side we lost to 27-19 back in October. Kick off is from 3pm with a SOLD OUT Ladies Lunch prior to kick off expected to bring all the noise from the balcony.
Next door to them, our 2nd XV kick off their 2025 with a crunch clash with Chichester II from 2pm. A game of complete madness last time out against the West Sussex outfit saw our youthful 2s bring home a well deserved 47-38 win.
We look forward to welcoming you all back Penns Place for the first time in 2025!