Petersfield 2XV vs Andover 2XV

‘Field started brightly and early on had Andover pinned back in their own half following some quick recycling of the ball and number of early line breaks by the backline. And it was from some sharp hands and incisive running between Zac Hoffman and Harvey Belcher that Andover were forced into defensive lineout in their 22. From this Tom Dear took clean lineout ball off the top and the ball was spread through the backs by Wilkes and Eldridge to find Palmer who powered his way through the Andover back line to score under the posts with Wilkes adding the extras.

‘Field continued to show enthusiasm and launch a number of attacks particularly down the flanks but Andover weathered them without further deficit. Andover then began to pull themselves back into the match in the second quarter and made inroads into the Field half through repeated attacking round the fringes, and using their larger players to punch holes in the ‘Field defence. This led to a fiercely contested breakdown and as time wore on ‘Field were caught repeatedly infringing in their frustration in trying to gain the upper hand. This eventually led to ‘Field being pulled up twice in quick succession within range of the goalposts and Andover duly slotted the penalty points to take the scores to 7-6. As the end of the half neared ‘Field managed to regain some foot hold in the match especially when clean and quick ball was created at the breakdown and allowed Willans and Wilkes to make half breaks and then release the flying back three of Belcher, Cartwright and Hoffman. And ‘Field nearly had 2nd try for Palmer but he came up just short of the try line. As it was Field’s Achilles heel of infringement at the breakdown still kept blighting their play, and allowed Andover to take a lead into ½ time when another penalty goal was slotted.

Early in the 2nd half Andover gained yet another penalty opportunity which they took to leave ‘Field 12-7 down. This at last seemed to serve as a wakeup call to ‘Field who instead of getting drawn into niggley contest at the breakdown with the resultant penalties reverted to more a disciplined approach. The forwards made both inroads into Andover through likes of Dryden and Godber and also away from the breakdown provided more options for the backs to use with Dear and Deakin ever present. From this ‘Field built their play through the phases and with Willans shifting the ball sharply away from the breakdown allowed the backline to move the ball through quick hands to Cartwright and Hoffman who sent Andover back pedalling with their darting runs and enabled Eldridge to pick a line to pierce the Andover line and go over for Fields 2nd try, Palmer was unable to add the extras.

Andover grew increasingly frustrated as ‘Field kept shifting the ball across the team and kept up the pressure on them, and eventually they lost a man to the sin bin. ‘Field looked to capitalise on the man advantage and from a strong scrum broke up field with first Willans then Dear taking ‘Field deep into Andover half. Dear linked with Cartwright and Hoffman with some neat interpassing and allowed Belcher to step off the wing and scorch between the Andover flailing tackles to notch ‘Fields third try, with the extras again missed but leaving ‘Field 17-12 in front.

With Andover returning to full strength they gained impetus to launch repeated attacks into ‘Field’s half but strong tackling from likes of Whelan and Bissett cut down the Andover attacks and allow ‘Field to maintain their advantage. Torrential rain slowed down proceedings and allowed Andover to keep the ball tighter and take the fight to ‘Field, and this continued even as the weather eased off and ‘Field found themselves fighting back the Andover incursions from the edge of their 22 as the clock ticked down. For the last 10 minutes Field put up an aggressive and firm defence with every man holding firm so that Andover were unable to break through and reach the Field try line, even when ‘Field lost a man to the sin bin for repeated infringement. The game ended with Andover firmly encamped in ‘Field’s half but unable to gain reward for their territory due to the excellent ‘Field defence.

A great effort from all the team to secure 17-12 hard fought win in our first match of the season. Skipper Rupert Kellie particularly picking out the 3 Colts players – Belcher, Hoffman and Cartwright who had excellent all round games and provided a real spark in the back three.