Petersfield 2nd XV vs Sandown 2nd XV

‘Field’s mix of youth and experience showed their intent from the off with immediate pressure put on Sandown following some quick work at the breakdown and aggressive counter rucking. Sandown fought their way out with some powerful runs from their strong backline which constantly probed ‘Fields defence but could not find a clear way through as Field held their ground and in turn launched their own attacks. Eventually though the continued sniping round ‘Fields fringes gave Sandown their opening as they punched a hole in ‘Field’s defence and cantered down field to score the game’s first try.

‘Field’s head did not drop and they soon found themselves in possession in Sandown half. The forwards and backs interlinked well as the ball was taken through numerous phases with every forward putting in hard work to secure the breakdown and recycle the ball quickly for the backs to then test the Sandown defence one way and then the other. Eventually this had the Sandown defence stretched and allowed Cosway to race over in the corner for ‘Field’s first try.

Having held their equal for most of the first quarter, ‘Field then went off the boil as Sandown continued to gainfully employ their powerful runners to punch holes in Field’s defence and create openings from which they scored another try. Another soon followed when a lapse in concentration from Field allowed the Sandown scrum half to take a quick tap penalty and dart through unhindered from outside the ’22 to score Sandown’s 3rd try. ‘Field regained a foothold in the match by going back to the simple percentages and using their strong ball carriers to make the inroads with Payne and Mackay prevalent. And so it was from a series of forward led phases that Field’s 2nd try arrived as Deakin was able to capitalise on a strong platform created by the forwards in the Sandown ‘22 and dive over from short range, with extras also taken by Deakin. Sandown though had the final say of the half with another try.

A robust half time team discussion set the tone for the second half as the ‘Field team showed an altogether more aggressive and committed edge. Tackles were landed, rucks fiercely contested and the Sandown backs stopped in their tracks. For most of the 3rd quarter neither side could make the telling break and this wasn’t for lack of trying as both teams matched each other in attack and defence. An opening did though at last fall ‘Field’s way as from a quick tap penalty from Cosway on the half way line found Mackay, who rampaged through the Sandown midfield and created the opening for the fast supporting Eldridge to round the defence and score ‘Fields 3rd try, and bring Field back within a try of Sandown. This gap did not last long as Sandown exploited a miskick from ‘Field and several missed tackles for their winger to regain their 2 try lead.

This didn’t affect ‘Field who continued to pile on pressure both in open play as well as at the set pieces. A well won lineout ball gave the forwards the opportunity to set up a rolling maul on Sandown ‘22 and then following some interplay between backs and forwards it was Franks who was released into the Sandown defence, and through strength and determination he dragged himself and Sandown defenders over the try line for the score. Yet again though Sandown showed the tenacity to immediately strike back with a well worked try from their backs to grab a 12 point lead again with just over 5 mins left. ‘Field though did not give up one bit and kept plugging away with every player giving the last vestiges of energy to force ‘Field into the Sandown ‘2 2, whose defence managed to just hold firm. This was until the last minute of the match when a tap penalty was fed to ‘supersub’ Ashworth who ploughed his way through the Sandown defence to score with the extras coming from Deakin. With the clock run down ‘Field finished frustratingly just 5 points shy of Sandown as the match finished 34-29 to Sandown.

Skipper Kellie commented after the match “it was a great effort from the whole team today giving their all right to the bitter end. It is particularly pleasing to see a mix of our more experienced players and younger colts players working well together and though this is another loss, with the amount of new 2nds players we have had the team are making great strides in their development against tough opposition.”