Petersfield opened their Season 2025-26 South Central League Two campaign at Penns Place on Saturday and avenged their two defeats of last season at the hands of Tottonians RFC by grinding out a victory in what was an entertaining if anxious match for both teams and supporters.

In good playing conditions, greatly improved by the recent rain, though somewhat compromised by a strong blustery southerly wind for the first half, Tottonians kicked off into the wind. A clean take by Petersfield and a pass on to the accelerating inside centre Toby Colwood. Tottonians were still gathering their defence from the kick chase and Colwood pinned his ears back and streaked for the visitors try line from sixty metres out virtually unopposed to touch down under the posts for Matt McLean to convert to lead seven nil inside two minutes. 7-0

Tottonians, always a tough opponent for Petersfield, were energised by the early score and
proceeded to batter at Petersfield defence winning several penalties that brought them close the Petersfield try line. Happily, for the hosts their defence held firm and in a reversal of the penalty count Petersfield were able to relive their line with a kick intended for touch.

The kick deep into Tottonians half stubbornly stayed in field assisted by the strong and fickle wind. Tottonians caught the ball and shipped it to the right, away from the advancing Petersfield players who were aiming to cover the touch line. Tottonians moved the ball to their outside centre who took a wide route to his right, with support outside from his winger, wrong footed the last Petersfield defender and touched down near the corner for an unconverted try 7-5

Twenty minutes of nip and tuck rugby where neither side were in the ascendancy now followed while Petersfield were racking up the penalty count drawing the attention of the referee. However, it was a Tottonians penalty kick to touch which broke the stalemate. An overthrow to the rear of the lineout was intercepted by Petersfield prop Dan Sargent who passed out to his centres. While Tottonians touchline was unprotected Petersfield 1st XV and league debutant Lewis Munt turned on his considerable pace and with ball in hand ran fifty metres to score in the corner an unconverted try. 12-5

From yet another Petersfield penalty for offside at a ruck in the centre of the pitch the visitors moved the ball both left and right through several hands moving into Petersfield’s half. These moves split the hosts defence for Tottonians to dart through to score a converted try 12-12 the score remaining unchanged at half time.

At the restart of the second half, it appeared that both teams had concluded that a less expansive more pragmatic game plan might be the path to victory. That this tactic might have been unattractive to the touchline support was not to be as both unforced errors, penalties and for Petersfield three yellow cards added piquancy to an already enthralling spectacle.

Tottonians, in pursuit of their apparent aim to grind out a victory chose, after some five minutes to successfully kick a penalty for three points edging them ahead with the score 12-15.

Petersfield were to spend two periods of ten minutes down to fourteen players while time on yellow cards were played through. While in the last of these, and to the relief of the home support, the pack took control and from outside the Tottonians twenty two in a series of pick and drives, lose rucks, and driving mauls found number five Franko Tomic with the ball who bulldozed his way over the tryline for an unconverted try. 17-15

With seven minutes to play Petersfield’s defence held firm while they suffered their second yellow card of the half and while retreating onto their five metre line were again penalised and were awarded a further yellow card reducing them to thirteen players. With either skill or luck Petersfield came away with the ball and launched a long, high kick to touch as the final whistle was blown.

Director of Rugby and fly half on the day Matt McLean said after the game he was pleased to have won against the team that finished a place above Petersfield in the league last season and how well the defence worked and held out.

Petersfield squad included three 1st XV debutants Zac Conley, Lewis Munt and Alex
Robinson while other players returning this season pulling on the clubs new Gilbert playing strip were Jackson Clark, Sam Brown, Dan Sargent, Franco Tomic, Greg Jansen, Jack Janaway, Liam Perkins, Dan Chinnock, Matt McLean, Toby Colwood, Miles Sampson, Jamie Guthrie, Ethan Horsfall, Alex Robinson, Sam Janaway, Karter Whittock.

The win puts 'Field in sixth place ahead of this Saturday trip to Winchester, a side who ended last season two league places above Petersfield having also won both home and away against Petersfield.

This weeks match report headline is inspired by Tottonians' impressively bitter match report. If you fancy a good laugh, check it out here!