Petersfield 2nd XV vs Portsmouth 3rd XV

‘Field started with real intention right from their kick off with the forwards putting pressure on Portsmouth defence and ultimately some significant pressure from Godber on the Portsmouth ball carrier led to a penalty in Portsmouth 22. Wilkes duly slotted this to take ‘Field 3-0. This was the most ‘Field would see of the lead as their Achilles heal kicked in yet again as bar a few players ‘Field sat back and had their usual slow start to the game with tackles being missed and phases of attack not being strung together with any continuity.

Portsmouth exploited the gaps in the ‘Field defence and quickly scored a try through some strong support running off the shoulder of their fly half and inside centre, to enable their players to burst through the ‘Field line and shrug off despairing tackles. Another try soon followed as ‘Field again threw away possession with some poor decision making and Portsmouth were quick to capitalise and counter attack whilst ‘Field were on back foot. At this point the signs looked ominous for ‘Field as succession after succession of Portsmouth attack was just held back and they continued to play to their strengths with strong and fast support runners breaking the ‘Field defence. ‘Field kept themselves in the game with likes of Godber and Winfield putting in the hits to repel the Portsmouth attack and some last gasp tackles from Belcher and Hoffman.

Then slowly but surely the rest of the ‘Field team committed themselves to the cause and increasingly ‘Field gained more attacking opportunities as their defence held firm. This eventually yielded a try as both the forwards and backs worked the ball up the pitch and enabled Deakin to go over from short range with Wilkes providing the extras. Soon after ‘Field slotted another penalty to take themselves within range of Portsmouth but again some careless decision making and missed tackles enabled Portsmouth to score another try and enter half time 24-13 up.

Following the break and changes as subs were brought on, Field started the 2nd half with intent and aggression but their execution couldn’t quite match at first, as both teams got dragged into more scrappy play at close quarters leading to broken open field play. Within all this were a number of counter attacks from both sides with ‘Field just saving further tries being scored by Portsmouth through some excellent tracking back and cover tackling by likes of Belcher, Wilkes and Eldridge. ‘Field though soon found an attacking edge as the forwards went back to taking the ball through the phases and clearing out a lot quicker at the rucks, so in turn Wilkes and Patience could make good use of quicker ball to release ‘Fields backline. This led to a try for Belcher as the forwards provided a strong base in the Portsmouth half from where the backs launched a series of attacks which through some well run support lines led to Belcher rounding the Portsmouth defence to score, and take Field within 6 points at 24-18.

This cut in the deficit was short lived as the ‘Field try spurred on Portsmouth who continued to use their strong runners to attack the fringes and gained rewards with a further try. ‘Field’s heads did not go down this time and the team continued to show attacking intent and unsettled the Portsmouth defence especially with succession of quick tap penalties from Wilkes. From a well won lineout by Winfield and the ensuing succession of rucks ‘Fields forwards came within a few metres of the Portsmouth line, and a delicate offload from Wilkes found Williams who burst through to score under the posts which with the extras took Field back within 6 points at 31-25.

Injuries to Hoffman and Wilkes temporarily checked ‘Fields progress but with only few minutes left on the clock the whole team gave their all and forced ‘Field up the pitch and into Portsmouth 22. A strong ‘Field scrum set up the backs to attack the Portsmouth try line and through some quick passing Eldridge was able to power through and over the Portsmouth try line for what looked like a try. But some last ditch defending from Portsmouth knocked him back and away from the try line. From the ensuing scrabbling on the ground for the ball from both teams Portsmouth somehow gained possession to break out and score the last try of the match. Final score 36-25.

Overall skipper Kellie reflected: “it was a hard fought match which ‘Field did well to get back into but again we sadly lost a close fought contest following a slow start. Collectively as a team we need to work on turning round these slow starts as we are giving ourselves too much to do, but am confident we can do this in our coming matches”.