A loss in the final ten minutes to the leagues second placed team and failing to add any bonus points had Petersfield drop to seventh in the league while other clubs around them won or gained losing bonus points.

Whilst many will argue that it was some of the best rugby Petersfield have ever played, the result highlights the importance of league bonus points when added to those for the match; yet, on paper, it fails to reflect what was, for a neutral observer, an excellent contest, with both teams displaying skilful and determined rugby against committed opposition.

The match started well in the favour of the home team as from the kick off Petersfield secured the ball and advanced into the visitors twenty two, after a series of passes which ended in a scrum. Petersfield won the ball and passing back inside to the player of the day selected to wear the number ten shirt, fly half Matt McLean who galloped twelve metres to score a try which he converted taking the score after five minutes Petersfield 7-0 Bournemouth.

A relieving kick by Bournemouth went straight into touch to bring play back to the Bournemouth twenty two. A quick tap by recent recruit Tom Blewitt was passed to Miles Sampson who put on his speed and battering persona to hit the tryline though halted a few centre meters short. The ball was retrieved by the guests to the Bournemouth five metre. With a series of rapid pick and drives scum half Joe Knowles jinked through to score under the post for McLean to convert 14-0

From a lineout fifteen metres out from the visitors left corner the host secured the ball and formed a ruck which turned into a maul with the ball moving to the centre of the pitch. Head up rugby by the centres found winger Seb Tuff with little defensive cover and a neat pass to him had him dash fifteen metres to score an unconverted try 19-0.

With the surprise of the day that Petersfield should lead by three tries Bournemouth regrouped after some pithy words from their coach and spent more than five minutes of attritional attack well inside Petersfield’s twenty two while the home team defended with determination. Unable to wrest the ball back for the hosts and after multiple phases of play the visitors shifted their point of attack with a well placed kick pass which fell to their sprinting outside centre who touched down near the right corner for an unconverted try 19-5.

With over thirty minutes of the half played Petersfield committed a penalty offence within kickable range which Bournemouth took to advance their score by three points 19-8. The balance of the half was one where neither team could take control so at the whistle the scores remained 19-8

At the start of the second half a knock on by Petersfield had a scrum formed on their ten metre and as Bournemouth’s scrum half secured the ball a penalty was signalled. The ball was passed to the right where two players interchanged passes for one to score an unconverted try 19-13.

To the touchline support it was apparent that the visitors had regrouped at halftime and were looking as if the host early success was a balance between the host play and the visitors mistakes.

Petersfield defending their tryline had number eight Karter Whittock yellow carded but from a scrum managed to extract themselves from a perilous situation and advance up field out of their half to the accompaniment of loud cheering from a crowded balcony populated by a vociferous and rugby educated crowd.

Petersfield in possession and on Bournemouth’s twenty two attempted a drop goal which became a skyed up and under and delivered the ball into the hands of the defender’s backs. They stood up to the host desperate tackles a passed the ball to their left where from seventy metres out Bournemouth outran a retreating defence to score near the post a converted try. 19-20

With a penalty on the visitors twenty two Matt McLean elected to kick and secured three points for the scoreboard to move to Petersfield 22 – Bournemouth 20 with just seven minutes remaining

In the final five minutes Bournemouth kicked a penalty to move ahead of Petersfield and in the dying moments, from yet another Petersfield penalty run in a converted try to deny Petersfield a losing bonus point and secure for them a maximum 5 league points. Petersfield 22 - 30 Bournemouth

It might be said that the effort and determination of Petersfield’s squad, which had several changes of personnel due to injuries and unavailability, deserved more than the result posted. Obviously the first XV either need to be more conscious of their penalty count or need to get on side with the match officials as it looks as though most of the fifty-fifty decisions go against them and one or two yellow cards per match makes it difficult to maintain any dominance.

Petersfield Starting XV:- Jackson Clark, Sam Brown, Dan Sargent (C), Oli Hunt, Ryan Morse, Alex Robinson, Jack Janaway, Karter Whittock, Joe Knowles, Matt McLean, Toby Colwood, Tom Blewitt, Miles Sampson, Seb Tuff, Charlie Muir, Will Norton, Greg Jansen, Brad Caparo

To have risen to third in the league two games earlier and to drop to seventh will make a mid table season end a challenge, match wins being important, bonus points almost more so and scored points adding value to a league position total.

Mens rugby returns on the 8th of November for Petersfield who travel to new opponents Reeds Weybridge currently eleventh in the twelve team league and two weeks later on November 22 return to home turf to greet other new opposition Old Tiffinians.

Womens rugby also returns to Penns Place on Sunday 9th November as they face Alton in their second game of the season.