PETERSFIELD 36, ELLINGHAM 5

PETERSFIELD remain on course for a return to the London leagues after this revenge win against Ellingham & Ringwood, one of only three sides to have beaten them in Hampshire 1 this season.

Last October, Petersfield left Ringwood with only a losing bonus point as they fell victim to the hosts’ penalty kicking prowess and their own poor execution when a score beckoned.

This time, ’Field were much more clinical, although missed chances in the second half spared the New Forest side an even heavier defeat.

The Petersfield pack were again unstoppable, as they have been throughout the campaign, and this was despite a number of changes – testament to the forwards’ training ethic.

At times, the red juggernaut appeared to be sprinting forward in the scrum as they dominated the set-pieces.

Ellingham missed a kickable penalty that would have given them the lead and the home side responded with three tries in the first half.

Number 8 Harley Orr added to his season’s tally on behalf of the pack and a try apiece for Tom Franks and Josh Haslett, one converted by Haslett, gave ’Field a decisive 17-0 lead at the break.

In the second half, the pack picked up the gauntlet thrown down by the backs in the first half and soon had Petersfield’s bonus point try, former captain Gareth Crane going over amongst a crowd of team-mates. Again, the conversion was missed, leaving six points on the pitch.

’Field were quickly back on the hunt for a fifth try and it came midway through the third quarter. Perhaps unsurprisingly, given the mismatch between the packs, this came directly from a five-metre scrum. As the reds walked the ball towards the line, Ellingham dived in early and the referee had no option but to award a penalty try and a yellow card. The conversion, the easiest of the day in tricky conditions, was slotted over by Haslett.

The visitors fought back with a rare foray into the ’Field half and centre Callum Butler exploited an overlap on the right to score a good try for the 14 men.

Petersfield had opportunities for further tries, but inaccuracy cost them until well into the final quarter when quicksilver winger Eddie Matthews was set free on the left and crossed over wide out. Matt Painter struck the ball sweet and true for a fine conversion from a difficult angle.

“A great result, with another strong performance from the pack causing the opposition lots of problems,” said head coach James Alder. “Another bonus-point win keeps us in the hunt and we look forward to another challenge next week at Ventnor.”