PETERSFIELD 36, ROMSEY 12

IN their penultimate game of 2016, Petersfield recovered well from a poor start to beat Romsey comfortably and remain four points behind New Milton, the Hampshire 1 leaders .

Romsey had won only two out of seven games, but ’Field could not afford complacency against a side who have beaten tricky opponents Isle of Wight this season.

The visitors immediately showed they were out to upset the form book and the first ten minutes were a torrid time for the ’Field defence which buckled to allow the first score of the game. The conversion was missed from wide out, but Romsey had the early lead.

It stirred Petersfield out of their torpor and they began to work more efficiently. However, it was late in the first quarter before they launched a meaningful foray into the opposition’s 22. The pack, again a dominant force in the match, hooked up a drive down the centre and flanker Toby Sydenham peeled off the red behemoth to crash over between the posts. Matt Painter added the extras and ’Field led 7-5.

Romsey, after their bright start, had no answer to the destructive power of the pack and it wasn’t long before the pressure told again, the visitors losing a flanker to the sin-bin for collapsing a lineout drive.

With the ’Field pack having their opposing eight sliding back as if on rails, a seven-man scrum was no challenge and Romsey were walked back over their own line, No 8 Harley Orr getting the touch-down.

And it was soon déjà vu as another five-metre scrum travelled the short distance to the line in double-quick time. Orr had a brace of tries, Painter two conversions, and Petersfield a sizeable lead.

Romsey were back to a full complement when ’Field secured the fourth, bonus-point, try. This time, the backs got in on the act and Harry Attwood finished off an open-play move with a powerful run, breaking two tackles on his way to the line.

The host side then knocked on with the try-line in sight and had to settle for a 19-point cushion at half-time.

To the bemusement of the spectators, the break was extended by a discussion between the Romsey coach and the referee and a toing and froing of substitutes.

And it was Petersfield who switched off when the game finally resumed in plunging temperatures. Romsey again opened the scoring and a marvellous flat kick from wide on the left secured the extras. The visitors were back in the game at 12-24.

This time, ’Field were quickly back into their groove. Another penalty, another lineout drive, and Sydenham scored another try for the back row union.

Romsey continued to rack up penalties as Petersfield dominated territory and possession, yet avoided further punishment until midway through the final quarter when they lost another forward to the bin after bringing down a maul once too often.

In their eagerness to score, ’Field gave away a penalty which should have allowed Romsey to clear their lines. However, the quickly-taken kick was followed by a botched punt upfield, setting up Tom Franks for a charge to the line. Franks had twice been denied by brave tackling, but this time he was not to be denied and crossed the line before heading round behind the posts to give Painter one of his easier conversions.

Romsey had a third player sin-binned, but battled bravely to the finish.

* Petersfield’s last league fixture of the year will be on December 10 when they travel to lowly Chineham who recently lost 133-3 to leaders New Milton.