Chris Todd reports on Petersfield’s 2026/27 league campaign opener, which ended in defeat against a strong Chobham side at Penns Place.

The visitors arrived with a heavier pack and well-organised back division, while Petersfield introduced four players from last season’s successful Colts squad into the 1XV.

Chobham opened the scoring just five minutes into the match after a Petersfield knock-on close to the visitors’ twenty-two. ‘Field were put under pressure at the resulting scrum before Chobham moved the ball to their left, finding their winger on the clubhouse side who accelerated through the defence on an angled run to score underneath the posts. The conversion was added (0-7).

Petersfield weathered a difficult period of defence with little possession or field position before a hurried pass on their own fifteen-metre line went to ground.

The resulting scrum saw Chobham’s pack produce a powerful shove, allowing their number eight to control the ball at his feet before picking up and touching down well to the left of the posts for an unconverted try (0-12).

‘Field responded from a penalty lineout five metres from the Chobham line. 1XV debutant Eddie Jordan brought the ball down into the surrounding pack before Petersfield drove towards the try line, with Jack Janaway eventually touching down underneath a pile of bodies. Scrum-half Joe Knowles added the conversion to bring Petersfield back within five points (7-12).

Petersfield were forced into two changes before the interval. Experienced prop Harley Orr suffered a back injury and was replaced by Jamie Williams, before debutant and former Colt Sam Turner injured his shoulder and was replaced by Director of Rugby Matt McLean.

The referee brought the first half to a close with Chobham leading by a single try.

Early in the second half, Chobham secured possession at a Petersfield scrum. Despite some dogged defence and valiant efforts to hold the attacker up over the line, the visitors eventually touched down close to the posts and added the conversion (7-19).

A Chobham penalty attempt then failed to find its target, but the visitors regained possession from the restart. Their powerful and mobile pack worked its way towards the Petersfield line before rumbling over for another try (7-24).

Petersfield responded from a tapped penalty, retaining possession through numerous phases before Knowles took matters into his own hands. From twenty metres out, the scrum-half powered through the Chobham defence and bulldozed his way underneath the posts before converting his own try (14-24).

With twelve minutes remaining and Petersfield desperate to close the gap and secure at least a losing bonus point, ‘Field’s injury problems continued.

Debutant prop Charlie Tomlin and captain Karter Whittock collided in a tackle and both were forced to leave the field with concussion. With only Tim Vreysen remaining on the bench, a reshuffle left Petersfield unable to compete at the scrum and the set piece became uncontested.

The disruption inevitably influenced the closing stages, with play becoming somewhat stilted. Despite parity at the uncontested scrums, Petersfield were unable to add to their score, while Janaway also took a heavy blow from a high tackle late in the contest.

The final whistle brought an end to proceedings with Chobham securing a 24-14 victory. The visitors deserved their win, although Petersfield will rue the disruption caused by a significant number of injuries throughout the afternoon.

Petersfield now turn their attention to next Saturday’s trip to Guildford, whose off-season recruitment appears to have injected new blood into the squad despite opening their campaign with a 34-7 defeat away at Weybridge Vandals.

Meanwhile, Petersfield’s physios face a busy week tending to the walking wounded, while the coaches will have a challenging selection meeting with players unavailable under compulsory return-to-play concussion protocols.

SCORERS

Janaway (TRY), Knowles (CON), Knowles (TRY, CON)

TEAM

1. Ethan Horsfall, 14. Seb Tuff, 13. Sam Turner, 12. Greg Jansen, 11. Alex Robinson, 10. Archie Whitear, 9. Joe Knowles; 1. Charlie Tomlin, 2. Owen Davies, 3. Harley Orr, 4. Eddie Jordan, 5. Oli Hunt, 6. Zac Conley, 7. Jack Janaway, 8. Karter Whittock (c)

Replacements: 16. Jamie Williams, 17. Tim Vreysen, 18. Matt McLean

ELSEWHERE

The opening weekend provided an early indication that Regional 2 South Central could be far closer and more unpredictable than it has been in recent seasons.

The shock of the round came at Bognor, where the newly promoted side marked their arrival in the division by beating title favourites Winchester 30-22.

Old Tiffinians also made an impressive start on the road, running out 41-12 winners at Camberley, while Wimborne laid down an early marker with a 33-24 victory away at Havant II.

There was little to separate Twickenham and Tottonians, with the visitors squeezing to a 35-33 victory in a two-point contest.

Elsewhere, Weybridge Vandals recorded the biggest victory of the opening weekend, beating Guildford 34-7. Petersfield now travel to Guildford next Saturday looking to get their own campaign off the mark.

With promoted sides making an immediate impact and just two points separating Twickenham and Tottonians, the opening round suggests there may be considerably less between the sides in Regional 2 South Central this season.

RESULTS

Bognor 30-22 Winchester
Camberley 12-41 Old Tiffinians
Havant II 24-33 Wimborne
Petersfield 14-24 Chobham
Twickenham 33-35 Tottonians
Weybridge Vandals 34-7 Guildford