Petersfield Vets (0) v Winchester Vets (45)

Sadly for players new to the Petersfield team it wasn't a pleasant baptism of fire as the home side struggled in every area except the scrummage. Here Ian Cuthbertson had a strong game, driving the Petersfield scrum forward, ably assisted by Dave Cosway and Bob Francisco, with second rows Steve Dryden and debutante Curtis Mew working hard. In the back row the hard working antipodean Marcus Wells and the homegrown talent of Jonny Ray and Ben Hooper stuck to their task, making tackle after tackle.

Outside the pack, however, inexperience and out-of-position players meant that Field were always going to have a torrid afternoon and so it proved. Winchester, pumped up and buoyed by a number of second team players, took full advantage. From the kick-off the visitors showed their intent to run with ball in hand and it wasn't long before they gained their first try and, by half time, they were 20 points up.

At the start of the second period Winchester refreshed their attack with a number of replacements. Fresh legs and strong running gained them a further 25 unanswered points, overwhelming a valiant defence, in which Petersfield new comer Sam Rees and full back Bryan Piggot were pivotal, making important tackles and more than once turning defence into attack.

Unfortunately these attacks were often snuffed out by what appeared to be clever use of hands in the ruck by the visitors back row and hooker, ensuring they won virtually every contest for the ball on the ground. Winchester didn’t always succeed, however, and were penalised a number of times for offences in the tackle area. Field though failed to turn the pressure into points and the nearest they came to scoring was when Petersfield winger Craig Inch got to within a few metres of the try line, only to be tackled into touch.

On the plus side, 'Field didn't cave in. Centre and prop Julian Blanks was notable for his stirling efforts and his dogged determination was reflected throughout the team as everyone in red and white battled to ensure that Winchester had to work for every score.

Match Report: Jon Walker