Petersfield 2nd XV (49) v Ventnor 2nd XV (12)

The fixture against the Isle of Wight team had previously been postponed from the beginning of November and Field’s main rivals, Tottonians, have benefitted from their extra game played to hold the top spot. This win gives Field an equal record to their Southampton-based rivals – the only hiccup in a series of wins for both teams is the draw they played at Penns Place back in October. Field relieved Totts of the position they have held since the start of the season by dint of their superior points-scored difference.

Ventnor, meanwhile, lay in fifth place coming into the match, some 13-points behind Field and ahead of sixth placed Overton due to their better, albeit negative, points-scored difference. Ventnor’s away form so far this season has not been impressive having won one of their games by a walkover, drawn a second and lost two, conceding over 100-points in the process. However, games are not won on paper and Field knew that they had to throw off any Christmas excesses and take the game to their guests if they were to secure the result they wanted.

With matches being cancelled across the County due to the weather, the two fixtures at Penns Place went ahead as scheduled and Ventnor braved the salty deep to hold their end up – no doubt heartened by the 1st XV players that they brought with them. Similarly, a couple of the old guard from Field’s own 1st team – Eldridge and Bremner - were added to the home squad.

Field took control of the match from the start and kept the scoreboard ticking over throughout the first half, scoring five unanswered tries to lead 25-0 at halftime. Unfortunately for Field, the absence of a place kicker robbed them of the opportunity to convert the extra 10-points on offer – something that could cost them dearly against tougher opposition. As the half developed the penalty count against Ventnor steadily climbed as they tried to compete with Field by playing on the edge of legality and, just before the break, their frustration manifested itself in some loose talk that resulted in the referee issuing a warning.

The second half, with Field playing up the slight slope on pitch three under darkening skies, continued in much the same vein as the first. Ventnor continued to concede penalty after penalty to break up any flow the game might otherwise have had and Field continued to keep the scoreboard ticking over. The pick of the scores was a solo break from Field Captain Jamie Williams who split the Ventnor defence with pace and power to score under the posts. Williams finally found his kicking boots and converted the afters – he also converted Field’s final try to rescue at least four of the eighteen points on offer.

Field didn’t have it all their own way in the second half and Ventnor took advantage of some poor discipline by the home side to work their way up the pitch to score a couple of consolation tries.

Field will be pleased with the win, but must learn to be more clinical in their finishing even when they are comfortably in the lead as they were in this match. On numerous occasions in the second half “white-line fever” seemed to take over and players took the ball in to contact when a pass would have exposed Ventnor out wide.

Field now face a run of four fixtures on the road, starting with third-placed Gosport and Fareham next Saturday before heading to main rivals Tottonians on the following week for what could be a season defining match.

Field’s 3rd XV completed a winning weekend for the Club’s senior teams with a 34-20 victory in their friendly against the visiting Romsey 2nd XV. Playing Committee Chairman, Jon Walker, was delighted with the overall turn out. “For the first weekend back following the Christmas break we have had a terrific response from our senior players. It is particularly heartening to see such a large number of 1st XV players turn out in support of their Club-mates following the postponement of their league game.”