Development Coach Delighted with 2nd XV Performance

Injuries and unforeseen late changes to availability meant that this week’s selection was very disjointed. Despite this Field were, as usual, able to put out a strong 2s squad, including five on the bench to provide plentiful cover.

Haslemere, under their head coach and Harlequin’s player Charlie Mathews, looked a good outfit – a youthful backline combined with a sprinkling of seasoned wise heads in the forwards. Sadly, Haslemere could only muster 14-players and Petersfield stalwart Matt Higson kindly stepped up and offered to play for the opposition.

Winning the toss and opting to play into the wind played to the strength of the home side; a good chase forced a nervous knock on from Haslemere and the team were inside the visitors 22 within seconds of kick off.

Field’s new-look front row, with Will Cross sliding into the unfamiliar Loose Head role, looked shaky against the well-drilled Haslemere pack but held strong to win the ball. A quick feed to the back line enabled powerful Centre, Matt Painter, to surge forward, smashing his way through Haslemere players to find a clear run for the line. A strong handoff saw Matt round off his sides good early possession will a run in under the posts.

Time after time Field fought hard at the break down to turn over any loose ball and deny Haslemere any opportunity to build any phase play. Chad White burst into life and Haslemere had no answer for his powerful darting run which ended with Field scoring under the posts again.
As the game progressed, Haslemere frustration with the lack of possession got the better of them, flash points crept into every facet of the game; from a good tackle to a clean ruck. The visitors started handling at the ruck and lived offside for large portions of the first quarter.

The missed offsides and some potentially questionable decisions began to frustrate Field. With penalties against them, Field could not get any go forward and Haslemere were finally able to gain some possession. The territory gained from being given the rub of the green by the referee allowed Haslemere to set up camp deep inside the Field 22m.

With constructive support from their Coach on the touchline, Field regained their composure and, undeterred by the turn of fortune, won the ball and cleared their lines. As the game went on, Field simplified their game plan with the hard yards won by the forwards before stretching the Haslemere defence with clever interplay across the backline.

With the game well won and a suspected neck injury with 10 minutes to go, it was mutually agreed to call an end to play.

Development Coach, Steve Woolcombe, confirmed his delight at the overall commitment from the entire squad. “We have some way to go before we really start to click, but this group of gladiators has the making of an unbeatable 2’s squad. I’d like to thank Captain, Gerry Devlin, for his superb composure and leadership. Matt Painter was a beast in midfield and troubled Haslemere all game and Jordan Allan and Sean Roberts both had a first-class match and looked very sharp when on the ball. I expect both to be pushing on the 1st XV door very soon.”

Chad White was incredible with some mesmeric runs carving through the opposition defence, all we need to do is keep up with him! Jim Coombes-Excell showed great leadership in the pack.

Lastly a massive thanks to Matt Higson who ran out in Haslemere colours, he was their best player and caused us problems all game!

Funny moments:
Carl Sharrock sparking up a fag on the final whistle on the pitch, just wondered where he kept his lighter all game (Huge fine coming your way Carl!)

Great win lads, need you all at training next week, Tue and Thur…………

The 2s kick-off their Solent League 2 campaign next week with an away fixture against Tottonians 3s.