HASTINGS & BEXHILL 33, PETERSFIELD 5

PETERSFIELD failed to repeat their earlier success against Woking and were well beaten by Kent 1 side Hastings & Bexhill in the London & SE Junior Vase.

Disappointingly for coach Andy Patience, his team were somewhat exposed by the lack of players willing to make the two-hour trip and only a bare 15 made it to the match.

Soon after half-time, ’Field lost influential winger Aaron Cartwright to injury and the remaining 14 men were hard pushed to avoid a complete rout.

Gareth Crane, Petersfield’s inspirational captain, scored the try that prevented a whitewash. Penned in their own 22, Hastings’ robust defence was undone by a deft chip by Will Jameson which Harvey Belcher swept up and popped to the sprightly Crane who touched down despite the close attention of scrambling defenders.

The game had kicked off late due to heavy traffic and with the wind and rain to combat as well, it was not the best of days for ’Field’s depleted side.

Hastings’ five tries were scored by Tim Sill (2), Ben Campbell, Harry Foster and Alex Waring, with the impressive Foster adding four conversions.

It was a mixed day at the office for Petersfield’s other senior teams. The 2nd XV were away to Portsmouth III in the Hants Merit South-East and lost a tight match 10-5. Harley Orr scored the visitors’ try.

This ended a five-match winning streak, but ’Field remain third in the table and within touching distance of the teams above them.

Petersfield 3rd XV bucked the weekend’s trend and took strength from their home support to edge out Chobham IV 19-17 in a spicy ‘friendly’ at Penns Place. Dan Giles, Mike Stamp and Eddie Mathews all scored tries for in-form ’Field thirds who have now reeled off four wins across league and friendly fixtures and are growing in confidence.

Overton Colts 15, Petersfield Colts 28 (Hants Colts League). ’Field Colts maintained their 100 per cent league record. They were soon in control against Overton and tries from Heath and Shirley, both converted, gave them a healthy lead before the home side pulled one back.

Petersfield were stoic in defence on a very windy day, while making the most of their opportunities. Hirst scored another try and then Matthews left Overton standing with a superb run before kicking his fourth conversion out of four in the blustery conditions.

Overton replied with two more tries, but this was an impressive performance by ’Field Colts.

Petersfield 45, Ellingham & Ringwood 10 (Hants U13 Cup). The unbeaten Petersfield U13s were unstoppable in this cup game. Houston and Davis both scored hat-tricks of tries, but this was essentially a team effort by the ’Field U13s who now face a big challenge against Andover in the quarter-finals.