Prior to the match the Club held a Charity Supper and raised over £2,000 to be split between the HomeStart Butser (PTC Mayor Hilary Ayer’s chosen charity) and the Royal Navy & Royal Marines Charity. In doing so, the Club set a record in raising over £20,000 for other Charities in the calendar year of 2018.

With the players presented to the dignitaries, The Petersfield School Brass Band played the National Anthem and the match started at a pace.

The strong Navy XV played some good rugby running through several phases but the home side were more than equal and, bolstered with a few faces from Tottonians, Alresford and Locksheath Pumas, Field more than matched them.

The game ebbed and flowed with both sides creating good chances; Jenkins and Wilde to the fore for the home side.

During the half both sides had good chances to score in a very open encounter, but it ended in a 0-0 stalemate.

The second half started as the first had finished with good running play from both sides, but good defence and the missing final pass saw both sides squander scoring opportunities.

The deadlock was eventually broken when a miss-move in the centres created space for the Navy wing to score in the corner, ably converted from the touchline.

Field now pressed, with Blumlein and Robbins very effective in attack and Tomic went close from a driving maul. However, the Navy defence held firm and they cleared their line, working their way up to the Field 22 before a charge from their No. 8 broke three tackles and an off-load that saw them score under the posts, the conversion a formality, (0-14).

Field bounced straight back and the next 15-minutes were played in the Navy half. The pressure eventually paid off as Sloan opened up the visiting defence, allowing Gericke to crash over.

As legs tired, the game became looser and chances popped up for both sides; Orr went close from a driving maul and only last-gasp defending prevented certain tries.

As the clock ran down the Navy broke from their own half and were rewarded for some good offloading play with a last minute try.

A proud Chairman, Stuart Barden, was enthused after the match, "What a game and what a night for the club, fantastic rugby on the park and fantastic support off it. To raise £20,000 for other Charities in just a calendar year is a phenomenal achievement."

Representatives from HomeStart Butser and the Royal Navy, join Rob Mocatta and Janet Lloyd-Leech