OLD CRANLEIGHANS 48, PETERSFIELD 7

PETERSFIELD travelled to the leafy suburbs of Thames Ditton more in hope than expectation and were duly on the end of an eight-try rout against Old Cranleighans.

The Cranleigh School Old Boys showed the form that blitzed Surrey 1 two seasons ago, as well as winning them the 2016 RFU Junior Vase at Twickenham.

Cranleighans hit the ground running after promotion to London 3 South-West, finishing fourth last season, and they are currently third, just three points off the lead.

The Old Boys do the simple things well and at speed, and also have the ruthless touch.

The emphatic scoreline does not reflect the fact that the visitors had their fair share of possession and territory, but does highlight the level of execution that Petersfield need to attain if they are to become competitive in the London leagues.

While ’Field had opportunities in the opposing 22, they only converted one into points – a well-deserved score less than a minute into the second half for Toby Sydenham. The flanker finished a series of quick phases by the forwards with a try by the posts, converted by Joshh Haslett.

Cranleighans, on the other hand, were clinical with ball in hand and showed great cohesion, allowing them to play expansive rugby – albeit mostly on the back of ’Field errors, generally resulting in a breakaway score from within their own half.

With three minutes of the first half remaining, Petersfield were still in the game at 17-0, but then imploded as they strove to score themselves, and the hosts added two more tries, one converted, to put the game to bed at half-time.

Petersfield did cross the whitewash immediately after the restart, but frantic defence on their own line and chasing the game when in attack, opened them up to punishing counter-attacks.

It was a disappointed ’Field side at the finish, but there were positives to take and the coaches were looking for a good turn-out at training this week as Petersfield prepare for the visit of fellow mid-table side Battersea Ironsides.