Alton 2nd XV (50) v Petersfield 2nd XV (19)

Alton's talented Number 8, Hampshire Under 23 and regional player Harvey Brewin, proved to much for Petersfield on their awayday to a rainswept Alton.

Returning from injury, a rampant Brewin helped his side rattle up 50 points in the Snows Group Merit One league local derby, in reply Petersfield managed 19.

And veteran visitors to Alton know once rain sets in, the sloping, clay pitches at Anstey Park favour the team whose forwards can keep the ball.

Petersfield, of whom nine were colts, had to opt for uncontested scrums as they could only field two thirds of a front row.

Winning the toss 'Field elected to play uphill and although at half time the score stood at 33-19 to the home side, the visitors were confident their running backs would even things up going down the slope.

But as the rain got harder, the pitch became heavier and nullified the 'Field backline of Sam Ward, Harvey Belcher, Ben Hopkins, Charley Attwood and Rich Deakin.

In the reds pack, Toby Sydenham and Jamie Mackay were outstanding, carrying the ball aggressively and gaining good yards, but on more than one occasion losing it in the tackle because support was slow arriving.

As the biggest man in the Petersfield pack, prop Dan Williams was as competative as ever, but faced by an Alton eight of similar stamp he was out muscled time and again, despite his unwillingness to give ground, or give up.

Tom Winfield made some telling breaks, and in defence worked hard to snuff out Alton attacks, supported by stand in prop Max Kemp, and second rows Dave Wakefield and the hard working Dan Groves, who drove over for 'Fields opening try.

But time and again the mud and rain, rather than the home side, defeated the attackers, as players slipped at crucial moments and either dropped the slippery ball or knocked it on.

In defence Alton did enough to clear their line, and in attack were savvy enough to let their forwards play eight man rugby, only cutting loose when they were sure of a score.

In the line out, 'Field managed to hang onto most of their own ball, and profit from Altons erratic throw ins - but it was the uncontested scrums that were the visitors undoing, giving Brewins a great platform from which to pick and go.

Three times the hard running Brewin picked and went from the base of the scrum and shrugged of tackles to score, his fourth came from a scything run in loose play, that split the defence.

He also set up three of the other scores by the home side.

Petersfield second team stand in captain Alex Groves said: "We were well beaten by the conditions and Altons pack, their weight and experience in playing at Anstey Park in the rain was a major factor.

"But Petersfield contested everything and didn't give up. Played in dry conditions the result would have been much closer."

Match Report by: Jon Walker