Six of the Best from the 2s

With the 1st XV’s match at Locksheath Pumas postponed due to a waterlogged pitch, Petersfield RFC’s 2nd and 3rd XVs were the only teams in action on Saturday - the 2s travelling to Southampton University’s playing fields to meet Stoneham’s 1st XV and the 3s taking a trip into the countryside to meet Overton’s 2s.

Field’s 2s knew that they needed to win against Stoneham to keep ahead of them in the league. Victory for Stoneham, meanwhile, would have seen them leapfrog Field into second place and help them to move away from the team just below them; Sandown & Shanklin 2.

Field appeared to struggle to get into their groove in the first half due in part to the conditions; the fierce wind that blew across the rain-slick pitch doing nothing to open the overhanging low grey cloud. Despite this, the team lead 7-10 at half time with the ever-smiling scrumhalf Charlie Partington scoring the first and setting up the second with a terrific break down the right-hand side. With the scrambling defence closing him down against the touchline, Partington had the presence of mind to essay a rangey cross-field kick into the in-goal area. The switch of play caught all bar the excellent Franco Tomic flat-footed and it was child’s play for the lanky lock to touch down.

It took until midway through the third quarter for Field to score again, this time through some excellent solo play by Ben and Tim Thomas, no relation. First was Ben Thomas, with an elegant, jinking run through the 22; quick feet dancing around the despairing tackles of the staggered Stoneham defence. Groves defeated the wind to secure Field’s first conversion.

Field took control immediately from the restart and the ball was fed out to Tim Thomas who set off on a barnstorming run from halfway to the try line, breaking tackles and bouncing defenders as he went. Groves again added the extras.

The 21-point lead should have been the cue for Field to break loose, but Stoneham refused to buckle under and stubbornly denied their guests any further scores until the start of the final quarter. This time the forwards were rewarded for their general dominance in the set piece with a pushover try from a 5m scrum; Jez Samworth dotting down as the ball crossed the line.

The match ended with the hosts on the front foot and, after butchering numerous attempts, they finally managed to turn their possession and territory into points with the final try of the game followed by a terrific conversion.

Field’s 2s return to base for their last league match of 2015 against Gosport & Fareham 3s, and would love to end the year with their seventh league win on the bounce.