PORTSMOUTH 14, PETERSFIELD 8

PETERSFIELD, starting their second campaign in London 3 South-West, were up against Portsmouth who had romped to two big victories over the Reds last season, ultimately finishing third, just three points off the lead.

’Field, although losing again, were no push-over this time. They started brightly and were pressurising in the last third of the pitch when the hosts broke away and Tom Hopkins scored a long-distance try which was converted by Chandler.

The Petersfield pack were holding their own against much larger opponents and it was from this platform – albeit through a Portsmouth transgression – that they were able to launch their own try-scoring opportunity.

A penalty was followed by a lineout and a switch drive and splintering maul bundled lanky lock Franko Tomic over the line. With the gusting wind against him, Nick Blumlein pushed the conversion narrowly wide.

As they did for most of the first half, Field played in the home side’s back yard, occasionally having to retreat and defend before surging back up the pitch.

Soon, Portsmouth conceded a penalty which also earned a yellow card for Ayden Kelly, but the normally reliable Blumlein saw his kick bounce off the upright.

As half-time approached, both teams had opportunities to score, only to cough up penalties within sight of their goal.

Portsmouth, restored to 15, went closest after Tomic had received a ‘team yellow’ following a string of infringements. The hosts swung the ball out wide, but the flying winger ran into the brick wall that was full-back Ben Wakefield.

Still outnumbered at the start of the second half, the Reds showed powerful defence to hold up a driving maul and win a five-metre scrum.

Petersfield’s scrummaging was inspired in this half and when Portsmouth conceded another penalty in front the posts, Blumlein this time slotted the kick over, inching his side in front, 8-7.

But the pressure was building on Petersfield and the turning-point came when Blumlein was adjudged to have been in an offside position when stopping a tap-and-go penalty move, the referee awarding a penalty try and binning the young stand-off.

The play ebbed and flowed as the 14 of ’Field fought to make up the deficit and Portsmouth looked to put the game to bed.

But there was no more scoring and Petersfield had to be satisfied with a losing bonus point after a gutsy effort.

Of the newcomers, Nic Wilde had a solid game at hooker. It was good to see Eryn Eales and Aaron Cartwright returning to the side after long absences.

This Saturday, Petersfield play US Portsmouth in their first home match.