PRFC 2nd XV 40 vs Southampton 2nd XV 27

On a sunny spring afternoon on the green fields of Penns Place ‘Fields 2nd team took to the pitch with similar bright expectations of reversing their recent run of defeats. This hope was built on the rarity of having a full front row and a full squad to select from.

‘Field started enthusiastically, battling from the off despite lacking a prop in the early exchanges as the returning James Dryden had had to make a detour en route to the match to acquire new boots! The tone of the match was set to high tempo from the whistle and competition was fierce, especially at the breakdown where both teams battled to turn over the ball. It was from quick turnover by Waterfall that ‘Field were able to release their backline from inside their half; after shifting ball through hands a grubber from Price put Southampton on the wrong foot and Doe was able to hack on and dive on the ball as it went over the try line. Doe converted the extras and Field’s spirit was flying high. Unfortunately, it was soon brought to earth as Southampton unleashed their powerful backline who broke 'Field’s vain attempt at tackling to score under the posts. The conversion was missed. 'Field were still in the lead, but had work to do to regain the upper hand.

Dryden entered the fray, his new boots gleaming in the spring sunshine. ‘Field were now able to contest the scrums and make full use of their strong mobile pack. Despite some powerful attacks from Southampton, ‘Field held strong in defence before going on the offensive and forging their way up field. From a lineout near the Southampton 22’ Payne took clean ball and the forwards drove on, putting Southampton on the back foot. The backline took on the ball, with Groves and Franks making inroads before sending the ball out to Price on the wing who dived through in the corner to score the second try.

12-5 soon became 12-10 as Southampton again outcompeted ‘Field at the breakdown and shifted the ball through their backs, who proved elusive to the tackle and went over ‘Fields line. This second score by Southampton seemed to re-focus Field’s efforts as they took the match to Southampton especially round the breakdown where likes of Waterfall and Deakin managed to turn over the ball on a number of occasions. ‘Field held firm around the fringes where they were able to use the power of Williams, Dryden and Ball to fend off attacks. The next score came from another Waterfall turnover in Field’s 22, just when Southampton had looked to breach ‘Field’s firm defence. The ball was quickly shifted to 'Field debutant Landels, who powered up the pitch wrong footing the Southampton defence and then breaking through a number of tackles before shifting the ball to a close supporting Price who was able to cut inside from the wing to score ‘Fields third try.

‘Field kept up the pressure even in defence with Doe and Purchase marshalling the back line to keep out the onslaught of the Southampton backs. ‘Field's forwards managed to get a foothold in Southampton's 22’, but despite powerful attacks from Dryden, Payne and then Williams could not quite land the fourth try. This intense passage of play ended when Bateman's attempt was ruled as being held up over the line. A short time later though an opportinty was grasped by ‘Fields ever-alert scrum half, Doe, who again demonstrated his foot balling skills, hacking on a loose Southampton ball from the back of a defensive scrum and winning the foot race to score ‘Field’s fourth try. A breathless first half ended 26-10 to the hosts.

The start of the second-half caught ‘Field napping; before they could catch their senses Southampton had swept up field, again eluding the ‘Field tackles to score a try which they then converted.

The tempo of the game remained high and the breakdown continued to be key for 'Field, with Waterfall having a great match putting Southampton ball carriers under pressure and turning over the ball as soon as they went to ground. Both defences held firm but ‘Field again came close on number of occasions with some well worked moves and interplay between the backs and it was by just small margins that they missed scoring. Eventually though, 'Field pressured a Southampton scrum deep in their own 22’ which led to messy ball popping out of the back the scrum. Doe pounced quickly on the Southampton scrum half who fumbled the ball on the try line and Doe made finger tip contact to score his third and ‘Fields fifth try.

It was Southampton's turn to pile on the pressure and they got themselves back into the match with a well worked try as bodies on both sides started to tire under the spring sun. ‘Field brought their remaining fresh legs onto the park and it was from well-set lineout from an Ashworth catch (on for Payne) that ‘Field set up a strong platform in the Southampton 22. The ball was spread out to Purchase who threw an outrageous dummy which had the whole Southampton defence grasping at thin air and went through to score under the posts. Southampton continued to battle away into the last 10 minutes and grabbed another try after a series of rolling mauls and powerful drives, taking the score to 40-27. Neither side let up in battling all the way to the whistle but ‘Fields defensive line held strong to keep the advantage at 40-27 and take a well earned win.

“It was closely fought match with every player giving it their all right to the end” said skipper Rupert Kellie after “and the boys came be extremely proud of the effort they put in against a tough Southampton side. We just need to continue in the same vein for our remaining 2 matches”.