(Match Report c/o Chris Todd)

Four Tries scored at Trojan’s Stoneham Lane ground gave Petersfield the much needed maximum five league points to take their London South West Three campaign through to the last match of the season next Saturday at Penns Place when they host league leaders Weybridge Vandals.

Trojans used the occasion of their first home match for some weeks to entertain over 100 guests to a pre match lunch and to celebrate the life of playing member Chris Lynch who was tragically killed in an accident in mid February. His wife and young children were on the pitch to see both teams combine in an act of remembrance.

This emotional start to the match fired up Trojans and they played with great commitment to illustrate their respect for their colleague. With just five minutes on the clock they tapped a penalty and caught Petersfield’s defence unprepared to touch down for a converted try 7-0
Just three minutes later Petersfield had a penalty lineout ten metres from their hosts try line, secured the ball and mauled the ball over for Prop Jackson Clarke to score, Fly Half Nick Blumlein adding the conversion 7-7

Petersfield were next to advance the scoreboard with a repeat of their first try with Prop Ryan Wilkie touching down for a converted try 7-14
Trojans battered at Petersfield defence who repeatedly felt they had to resort to kicking up field to relieve the pressure. Several stops for knock on saw scrums at which Petersfield dominated but got little change from Referee Woodward. Trojans persistence had them under Petersfield’s posts and scrambled defence and great turnover ball on the try line by Number Seven Matt Momber resulted in a clearance kick almost to half way.

Once again Field were in Trojans half with a penalty lineout, accurate throw by Hooker Sam Brown a clean take by Franco Tomic and swift hands by the Centres Lloyd Sampson and Elliot Siddle set Winger Miles Sampson on a charge and to draw Trojans defence. His pass to the flying Full Back Tom Land was caught cleanly for Land to wrong foot three Trojan defenders to dot down in the corner for an unconverted try 7-19.

At Half Time Field had resisted Trojans attacks and the score remained 7-19

Trojans restarted with the determination they showed earlier and were soon camped in their guest’s twenty two. Trojans pack took on Field and with several rucks all played with advantage for penalties conceded by Petersfield. Finally Trojans breached Fields defence to score close to the posts a converted try 14-19

Trojans chose to kick a penalty at goal after Petersfield were pinged for not releasing adding 3 points to their score. 17-19
Petersfield were next to score from a scrum on Trojans ten metre line when Scrum Half Alex Duffus deftly passed to the on running Greg Jansen, on from the bench for Lloyd Sampson , Jansen’s speed and agility outwitting Trojans despairing defence to thread his way to the try line touching down by the left post for a converted try 17-26

Blumlein, who had a good day with the boot, next slotted a penalty after Trojans back chat to the Referee 17-29

Trojans brought their pacey backs in to play and with good handling and silky footwork scored an unconverted try in the right corner 22-29
Blumlein advanced the score again with a penalty after Finn Sloan was high tackled 22-32

Trojans pack in the final minute of the match scored with a rolling maul which Field were unable to stop or get a defender under the ball for a converted try 29-32 The restart was gathered and kicked to touch to end a very competitive game.

Petersfield, who have had some tough fixtures in the fourth quarter of the season played well, and looked like a team that did not want to lose, Trojans also played well but wanted to win, not only in memory of their colleague also to attempt to claim the scalp of one of the league leaders.

Petersfield squad included forwards Ryan Elstow, Zak Jenkins, Tom Whitehouse, Ryan Morse and Jamie Williams.

Next week Penns Place will be the town’s premier sporting venue when 100 former players and friends assemble for a pre match lunch before the league topping Weybridge Vandals arrive with three buses full of supporters. It is hoped that whichever team end as victors the match will be of a high standard and closely fought. The club invite the town to this free to watch sporting encounter and to cheer on Petersfield RFC.