Match report by Jim Dixon
Portsmouth kicked of this local derby on a warm sunny day at Rugby Camp. There was a bit of added spice to this match with Petersfield containing several former Portsmouth players. With the game swinging between the two 10 metre lines for the opening minutes Petersfield were first on the score board when Portsmouth were caught offside and ‘Field converted the penalty,thus taking a 0 – 3 lead 6 minutes into the match. The game was still swinging end to end and it was then Portsmouth’s turn to win a penalty on 16 minutes which was converted by Gareth Davies bringing the scores level at 3 apeice. Pressure from Portsmouth saw them take the game into the ‘Field 22 and from a scrum the ball was passed back to Gareth Davies who slotted a well taken drop goal giving them the lead 6 – 3 on 22 minutes. Portsmouth had a chance to further increase their lead when they were awarded a penalty just inside the 10 metre line but Davies’s kick just shaded the left hand post. Davies had a chance to make amends for his prevoius miss when Portsmouth were awarded a penalty having pressurised the ‘Field try line. This time the kick was successful and the lead was now 9 – 3 on 29 minutes. ‘Field were now beginning to get into their stride and a penalty against Portsmouth saw their scrum half take a quick tap penalty and dart under the posts for a try which was converted to give them back the lead 9 – 10 on 34 minutes. They were soon on the attack again when they won a scrum against the head and some slick passing in the 3’s saw them score wide out, The conversion missed and the score was now 9 – 15. This was followed by another ‘Field try taking their lead to 9 – 20 as the half time whistle went.
Petersfield got the second half underway and 2 minutes into the restart Davies was again on target with a well taken penalty, closing the gap to 12 – 20. 3 minutes later ‘Field were able to increase their lead with a try following some good handling in the 3’s,. the conversion took their lead to 12 – 27 on 52 minutes. 6 minutes later ‘Field were on the scoreboard again following a good 3’s move resulting in a converted try extending their lead to 12 – 34. Portsmouth then managed to put pressure on the opposition line and from a scrum they won good ball which saw No8 Aaron Beesley barge his way over for a good try which was converted by Davies making the score 19 – 34. with about 15 minutes remaining. ‘Field then hit back with another quick converted try by their 3’s taking the score to 19 – 41. This was followed by their final converted try taking the score to 19 – 48. Portsmouth were still fighting to get another score but a kick to touch by Field saw the Ref blow for full time,
The ‘Field 3’s put on a good show with plenty of pace and good backing up on the ball carrier but Portsmouth gamely battled on to the final whistle. Unfortunately there were a few too many missed tackles by the home side which certainly didn’t help their cause. This loss sees them slip down the League to 10th. place. Petersfield now top the table.with 3 wins and 1 draw.. Next weeks’ opponents are Old Georgians who beat Alton 27 – 11. They are now 2 places above Portsmouth with 2 wins and 2 losses.
Team:Adam Parks-Dare, Greg Hoolihan, Rhys Bowen.
Darren Crabb, Darren Leggott
Dan Perry, Anthony Fooks, Aaron Beesley.
Elliot Davis, Gareth Davies.
Connor Chalton, Lees Chandler, Dan Gates, Sam Olie.
Tim Weale.
Bench:Finn Parry, Sam Foster, Scott Weatherhead