...... their all in a stylish contest that attracted a crowd of over one hundred on a chill, but dry afternoon. Both teams played exciting football and of was Hertford that caught ‘Field napping with a consummate display of handling in the first twenty minutes, the 'Peef’, as they like to style themselves fought back and in the death made the visitors fight for the result.

Entertained was the operative word as the large crowd was gripped by the frenetic rate of the game, frustrated at times, cheered very good move by both XVs, teased and gave friendly banter to the each other. Hertford did not start well before the game as they left their shirts behind and could only scrape 16 players for the important clash. Referee James Gregory was a bit bemused to suddenly realise both teams had the Peef emblem on their shirts and the game became red v green.

A word about Refereeing. This was a model of control by the team from the Hampshire Society. James himself is a federation level referee and exceedingly competent and he was ably assisted by touch judges (your humbles scribe eschews the term “assistant referee” – what a nonsense) Rob West and HRRS chairman Simon Thomas. All miked up and in tune with each other, it was wonderful example of how good control contributes most positively to the modern game.

Hertford began from the first whistle to unsettle Petersfield by attacking constantly the narrow side. Their No.10, Bolt slotted the first points with a difficult penalty kick. Petersfield responded almost immediately following an infringement by the opposition backs and this saw Charlie Wilans taken a tap, slicing through a couple of tackles. He then slipped the ball to his fly half Miles Rushworth to out sprint the cover to score.

Hertford then took charge from the maul after the restart with Bolt slotting a perfectly weighted grubber kick through the home rush defence and their centre retained the ball to score and the conversion followed. Bolt then scored another distant penalty and Petersfield did not know what hit them.

To add further dismay to the coaching staff and crowd the fly half converted another try from a poor lineout from Petersfield. Points were mounting at an alarming rate, as that thorn in Peefs side shot another penalty. He was in extremely hot form and gave a superb display of how a fly half can dictate a game. Hertford did score another try but it was by dubious of clear hands in the ruck, which Petersfield had control.

Being completely out-played for the first thirty-five minutes of the half, Petersfield finally started to make inroads into the visiting defence, causing panic as they tried to shut down. However Mr Gregory gave a yellow card to a Hertford forward for not rolling away. The ball was moved quickly to the right then to the left only last ditch defence brought Wilans down. The touchline official saw the Hertford winger pull back a support player and was duly yellow carded as well.

From the penalty Ollie Bates with Toby Sydenham charged towards the right flank then quick fed by Wilans along the backline saw Mark Tamba scoot into the left corner. Mr Gregory called time on a half that Peef colts would clearly regret for not being in control as a team.

The second half saw the Colts everyone recognised driving aggressively ball moving quickly through hands and making breaks. Peef did this with great aplomb in the first few minutes and saw the ball moved quickly to George Manville with the line wide open but the final pass was forward.
Hertford was under the cosh finally as the Peef forwards with Sydenham everywhere and Toby Faulkner having powerful mauling game charging through and disrupting Herts forwards. One such drive for the opposition's tryline saw a cynical slapping the ball down by Hertford fullback and he was awarded the 'cheese sandwich' from Mr Gregory. To Hertford’s credit, they defended valiantly but finally succumbed to Petersfield pressure.

The ball again won by the forwards and the backs did the rest, with Frazer Patience scoring in the corner. With fifteen minutes to go with all to play for Petersfield kept charging at the defence, but either the final pass would go to ground or crossing caused Peef to remain at 15 points. Hertford added two more converted tries, which were almost giveaways as the ‘Peef’ lads tired, but this in no way detracted from Hertford’s performance. The visitors ran out worthy winners 42 - 15. They now go to meet Hornets RFC from Weston-super-Mare, who surprisingly beat Ivybridge away 13 –1 7.

If there was a positive side to this match was the refereeing by Jack Gregory. He was decisive and let the game flow to which it was very enthralling despite being disappointing to the hosts. “Well done” Hertford for showing us good basic rugby skills and teamwork; a bitter pill to swallow for Peef!

Finally, in the interest of good relations in Hampshire rugby, congratulations from all at Penns Place to the Winchester Colts XV who go into the last sixteen of the National Colts Cup, comprehensively beating Chelmsford 36 – 10 on Sunday afternoon. They go to meet Reading-based club, Redinghensians RFC and Petersfield wish the very best for the rest of the tournament.

Apologies for the late posting of this report - it was too much excitement that did it .....