A tough fixture for the team this early in the season, made even tougher by the arrival of a late summers day that sent the temperatures soaring and stiffened up the pitch. As last week, this was a trial fixture for Field over four quarters enabling all of the Petersfield squad, comprising players from all of Field’s senior teams, to get some game time. In contrast, Farnham arrived in Petersfield with 17-players which allowed them a more settled approach to the match.

The conditions may not have been to the players liking, but they helped ensured that a large body of supporters greeted the teams as they took to the pitch. The famous (infamous?) balcony also played host to the Field old guard for the first time this season.

Those hoping for a feast of running rugby this early in the season would have been disappointed, but as a warm-up game it served its purpose well. This week, as last, Field were shown the benefit of playing a basic, structured, game plan. Attempts to force play or extemporise were punished by the more stable Farnham team, particularly as the steady change of Field personnel prevented them from establishing their own rhythm. Field were generally solid in the scrum but blew hot and cold in the lineout, winning opposition ball one moment only to lose their own put in the next. The backs worked well together, but their opposite numbers showed them a thing or two about support play. Perhaps unsurprisingly, due to the squad size, Petersfield tended to play as a group of individuals, albeit passionate and dedicated ones.

First team coach and PRFC Director of Rugby, Scott Heffield, provided a balanced appraisal of the team’s performance. “We deliberately chose Farnham for this game as we knew they would provide us with the challenge we need at this early stage. Farnham showed us the way to go, executing an uncomplicated game-plan efficiently and effectively. We learned this lesson for the last quarter when we took the game to Farnham with our pick-and-drive making the hard yards. This tied in the opposition and enabled us to spin the ball wide and take advantage of the disruption that we had caused.” Overall, Heffield was delighted with the strength of character displayed by the squad, “We played all 25 players today, including three vets. Whilst the final result may not have gone our way, the team should be proud of the way they refused to let the constant change of personnel disrupt their efforts too much”.

The 1st XV season begins in earnest next week when the team kicks off their league campaign with a home game against Millbrook on the 15th September. This will be a stiff test for the team as Millbrook finished fourth in the league last year. However, in the equivalent fixture last season, Petersfield ran out winners in a tense 13-11 point game with the team showing the strength of character that stood them in such good stead last season.

While Field’s coaching team might be hoping for a less stressful event, the guests at the club’s pre-match luncheon will be looking forward to a match of similar intensity and excitement. Details of the all the club’s luncheons and other events are listed on the PRFC website.

Squad: A. Doe, A. Groves, A. Kentell, A. Patience, B. Winter, C. Inche, C. Lewis, C. Mason, D. Fletcher, D. Sloan, E. Eales, G. Crane, H. Orr, J. Bremner, J. Eustahausen, M Wheelan, M. Butcher, M. Downes, M. Luff, P. Mays, R. Andrews, R. Gagaro, R. Luff, T. Faulkner, T. Franks