Petersfield took to the park with a significantly changed line-up from that which won them promotion last year. A number of that season’s First XV having hung up their boots, or unavailable through long term injury or other commitments.

The number of players who had been in the preseason warm up matches was matched by those available for the first time so it was not unexpected that it took some time for cohesive and confident play to show its self.

Farnborough, it is understood, had even less match preparation than their host’s but, despite what was described by a Farnborough supporter as a bit of a rag bag team, started well with perhaps a team better drilled in teamwork rather that individual skills.
The first half was entertaining, for both the good home crowd and the significant traveling support, but without much progress as both teams worked their way into the game.

Field opened their account after thirteen minutes with the pack winning quick ball from a ten metre ruck on the right hand side of the pitch and the backs using their pace and handling skills to outfox and outrun the determined Farnborough defence. Seb Tuff finished the move on the left wing, jinking his way over the try line. Will Jameson’s missed the conversion which slid past the right post.
Farnborough, a bigger and potentially stronger squad, then ensured that their host lived off scraps with only a couple of breaks by Field’s speedy backs threatening. Too many infringements had the referees whistle chirping and ‘Borough making metres up the park. The older heads in ‘Borough’s pack soon started to unpick Field’s defence by taking ball in to contact and either recycling quickly or benefiting from a Field indiscretion. With ten minutes of the half still on the clock Farnborough managed to barrel over in the left corner for a de-served try which also went unimproved.

At halftime the scores remained at five all and with Field turning round to play down the pitch with the sun behind them, the most favoured end to play, hopes for some running rugby were high amongst the ‘Field support.

Obviously Farnborough’s half time team talk had focused on how they may exploit the perceived weakness in Field’s defensive set up and used their first half try as a template. ‘Borough worked most of the possession for several minutes and using their big centres started to punch some holes in the host’s defence. After one such period of play Field’s defence was disorganised with the pack split up and the backs being put on the wrong foot. ‘Borough’s winger saw a route to the try-line from Field’s ten metre line and, almost without support, ran through at least three missed or despairing Field tackles to run round and dot down near the post for a converted try.
Farnborough continued to pressurise Field and were awarded two penalties in quick succession the second of which improved their score by three points putting a total of fifteen on the board.

Both teams had players sin binned in the half and their absences almost coincided meaning that for some seven minutes both teams were playing with fourteen players, little advantage was taken from this.

Once restored to a full side Field’s backs gained in confidence and the team’s superior fitness began to show. From inside their own half Field’s back row and backs combined to send Jack Glancy sidestepping and dummying the ‘Borough defence, running behind them to score by the posts; Jameson improved the score with the conversion.

Field now were trailing by three points and the clock was running down. With just seven minutes left Tuff popped up again, this time on the end of some superior work by the pack on halfway. The ball passed through several pairs of hands, including a confident loop move, to Tuff who ran around the despairing and tiring visitors to score near the post. Jameson added the conversion to his personal tally.

A four-point advantage with six minutes left had Field support nerves on edge as ‘Borough were capable of spoiling the result. With generous allowance for extra time Field kept ‘Borough locked in their own half. On the stroke of full time, the back row supporting the ever present Tuff, smuggled to ball over the line for Chris Ellis to claim the final bonus-point win-ning try which was not improved.

Next week Field travel to the royal seaside resort town of Bognor to meet the team that fin-ished seventh in the league last season, one place and 9-points behind Farnborough.

Chris Todd

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