Pre-Season Friendly - 2nd XV (17) v Kingsclere (25)

Petersfield’s Senior players continued their preparations for the fast-approaching league season with a double header of matches at Penns Place on Saturday. The 1st XV played host to Tadley from near Aldermaston, whilst the 2nd XV welcomed Kingsclere. Both play in the Berks/Bucks & Oxon League, Tadley in the Premier and Kingsclere in Championship.

Both teams are relative newcomers to the rugby scene but have each come far within a short space of time. Kingsclere was started in 1975 by local farmers and teachers as a nomadic pub side playing friendlies on Sundays. Tadley played their first match at the start of the 1986/7 season and by the end of the same season had gone on to become the first winners of the Berkshire Sunday Cup.

Field’s 1st XV are starting to develop some shape, but were a little hampered by the absence of some of their regular first team members, a number of senior Colts were drafted into the team to make up the numbers and acquitted themselves well. Notably, Jack Glancy, whose fleetness of foot and lightness of step saw him score Field’s first try and help set up the second. Jamie Mackay did not look out of place with some strong ball carries and whilst a match-rusty Tom Harrington and his pack were unable to get their timing right in the lineouts, the Hooker did well in the scrums and made a nuisance of himself around the park. Tom Franks’ return following injury last season shows that he has lost none of the pace and strength that was sorely missed by the team at the end of last season.

From the start Tadley looked to be in another league, (as they are…), but Field were tenacious in attack and defence. But for the occasional decision to take the ball into contact rather than pass Field may have put more points on the board. This week the team was settled – none of the many and various changes of last week’s Seniors’ game – and the overall shape of the team looked a lot better as a result. However, a return of the missing regulars and more work in practice to hone the group understanding will stand the team in good stead for the season opener away against Alresford on the 21st September.

From the start of their game, Field’s 2nd XV looked as though they might be on the wrong end of a hammering. However, as the players became used to each other the old bulldog spirit kicked in and, with the oldest bulldog on the pitch, Jon Walker, urging them on, Field took the game to their visitors. Like a well-known battery-powered toy rabbit, Field kept plugging away as their guests began to look a little leg weary. As with their 1st XV colleagues the 2nds could form a useful team as long as they can settle the squad and gel the players together in training and in matches.

Both sides take a trip to Cranleigh next Saturday and will be hoping to build on what they saw this week.