2s No April Fools...(sorry, couldn't resist)

When US Portsmouth took the lead a single minute after the kick-off, they could have been forgiven for thinking that this match would be a run in the sun with a hat-full of tries before they returned back down the A3 with victory comfortably sealed.

Petersfield’s development squad had other ideas though and, awaking from their initial torpor, soon set about gaining some forward momentum. From the restart they pressed deep into US territory, the forwards rumbling through the phases as they neared the line. The US defence held firm for a number of last-ditch saves on the try line before Alex Groves leant his weight to proceedings and crashed over. Jameson added the extras to gain the lead for the home team.

As the first quarter rolled to a close, Field found themselves with another chance to score as the pack stole a defensive 5m lineout. As with the first Field try, the defence made the red team work hard for the score but, finally, the visitors had too many committed to the breakdown and the ball was spun wide to the left touchline where pacey winger, Charlie Matthews, gratefully received the chance to cross the line and dot down.

Field spurned the chance to build on their solid first quarter as, directly from the restart, they conceded consecutive penalties to gift US possession and territory. Although they regained possession, Field failed to clear their lines and kept the pressure on themselves with yet more penalties. Finally, US breached the defence wide out on their right wing to bring the game to within two-points, the conversion proving too difficult.

Field continued to lean on the self-destruct button, turning possession over from the restart, and US continued to gratefully receive the bounty from their hosts. At the end of the first quarter, Field had lost any advantage they may have gained from what looked like growing dominance at scrum-time as a front-row injury for the home side led to an uncontested set piece. US made use of the stable platform to launch a back-row move that carved through the defence for their third try.

On a rare visit into the US half in the second quarter, Field essayed a chip and chase which was fielded into touch by the defence to end the half.

Field started the second half on the front foot with plenty of territorial advantage, if not always possession. With the pressure growing, US conceded a penalty which was quickly taken by Field and powerfully finished by Sam Lucas, stretching to score despite the close attentions of a number of defenders. Again the extras went begging, but Field had a narrow lead.

The demons struck Field again from the restart and within a couple of minutes, US had been presented with another gift, this time a penalty try for a defender pulling back an attacker as he chased a chip through to the line.

This time, however, Field failed to fold as they had in the first half and continued to play the rest of the match in the opposition half. Parity was restored halfway through the third quarter when quicksilver wing, Dan Giles, received another quickly taken penalty before ghosting past the defence for a try on the left wing.

Five minutes later, Field were once again threatening the US line and, once again, the defence was stubbornly keeping them out. After a number of phases Field lock, Dan Marsh, made the decisive breakthrough, bursting through the defence massed on the try-line to score the his side’s fifth try. Jameson’s terrific kick added the extras.

For the final quarter, Field effectively contained US in their own half and, when in possession, continued to press for the score that would put the game beyond doubt. A score looked likely, but it wasn’t until the very end of the match that Field converted their dominance into points. Try scorer in the first half turned provider in the second as Groves put in a strong run to draw the defence and set Matthews through for his second try. The missed kick ended what had been a very enjoyable game for the home side after a nervous start.

Squad:
sam bibby
eddie corner
will cross
gerry devlin
matt ede
ray farr
kieran gericke
dan giles
alex groves
andy hocking
paul hogden
will jameson
sam lucas
gareth macgillivray
dan marsh
charlie matthews
joe mayell
carl sharock