Fareham’s Cams Alder ground was awash with standing water after torrential rain in the hours leading up to kick-off but both clubs agreed to play the match rather than postpone.

Petersfield’s team sheet returned to the established line-up after the absences of the week before but this previously victorious and committed squad were undone by a Fareham team seemingly more determined than their visitors.

The first twenty minutes were ones of stalemate in the centre of the park where both sets of forwards were sizing each other up and the backs rarely seeing good ball. Passes of both sides being knocked on, scrums were followed by lineouts, mauls and rucks. It was attrition in the best tradition of Hampshire League Two rugby and one at which Fareham had the edge on Field.

Eventually, from just 10 metres out, yet another lineout allowed Fareham to set up a rolling maul which Field failed to resist and under a pile of bodies across the try line Fareham claimed their first try which was not improved.

The second quarter was similar fare to the first with both teams becoming frustrated with the lack of progress, Fareham showing just a bit more collective determination than Field.

Petersfield ventured close to Fareham’s line on four occasions; two of these through the hands of the backs with the last pass not being given when the odds were in favour of the outside man. The other two by the forwards and on one occasion Fareham’s defence left a small space close to the left-hand post only for Field to rush their move from the back of the ruck, Field’s flying forward knocking on as he crossed the line.

From the drop out Fareham’s pack wrested possession from the visitors inside their twenty two and with minutes of an extended first half on the clock Field’s number eight Palmer was yellow carded for an offence at a ruck. Fareham elected to scrum and with quick hands set up their right winger to score in the corner on the stroke of half time, Fareham’s unlucky kicker missing again.

The Petersfield halftime words included marking Fareham’s standout player, their hooker, who in both the tight and lose was the host’s go-to player. Doubtless it also called for greater cohesiveness as a team; individually the team were putting their bodies on the line, back row Don Fletcher already replaced after a blow to the head.

The third quarter was more absorbing for a player than for a spectator; Petersfield looking to advance into Fareham’s half to score a try which might secure a change in fortune or a losing bonus point, while Fareham had their tails up and were looking for the next score to secure a bonus point win. Petersfield forwards again crossing Fareham’s line only to be unable to ground the ball.

Petersfield continued to rack up the injuries with winger Cartwright side-lined with a cut over the eye and Palmer forced to hobble from the pitch with a potentially serious ankle injury. The last victim through the casualty clearing station was Hooper who appeared to have carelessly left his leg on the deck where his left knee and thigh were exposed to marching boots of an unobservant Fareham player.

With an empty bench, Field were required to mount a valiant defence of their line with four-teen men for almost twenty minutes. Just when the travelling support thought the visitors would see off the battering-ram challenges of their hosts they conceded a penalty which Fareham kicked to touch 10 metres from the try line. Petersfield conceded another penalty by driving through the lineout and this time Fareham chose to go for the scrum. With ball se-cured they set up a rolling maul which Field’s desperate and flagging defence could not pre-vent from crossing the line to score.

Fareham were ecstatic in the victory which took their winning streak to five games and within 4 points of table topping Petersfield. With no league games next week Petersfield will have time both to recuperate and train on the areas that have been seen to require development over the last seven weeks of matches.

Coach Patience registered his disappointment after the match, “There were plenty of things that were not working for us as well as they should have but, ultimately, Fareham wanted it more. In an environment that resembled a slugging match at times, this desire tipped the balance in their favour and they were worthy winners.” In spite of the upset, Patience was keen to applaud the positive response from the players in the post-match debrief, “The feedback from the guys was encouraging,” he said, “No one hid behind any excuses; we know what was wrong and we can work on correcting this in training. This will enable us to put today behind us and focus on building on the great start we have had to the season.”

Whilst there are no senior fixtures at Penns Place next Saturday, 16 November, two invitation teams will be playing a memorial game at the Club in memory of Giulio Coser. Coser was a former Petersfield youth, colt and senior player who returned to his native South Africa some years ago where earlier this year he died suddenly and tragically in his mid-thirties.

Squad: M Butcher, G Crane, D Luff, G Waterfall, A Patience, B Hooper, D Fletcher, I Palmer, C Lewis, G Goodman, T Franks, D Eldridge, J Pigott, A Cartwright, J Bremner, S Rushmer, A Kentell, M Downes

Match Report by Chris Todd