THREE unconverted tries and three penalties for Petersfield Rugby Club first team were just enough to gain a 24-21 victory in a fiercely-contested penalty-strewn South West 3 derby at Anstey Park in Alton.

Field started brightly and aggressively, with their pack shunting the hosts’ scrum backwards up the notorious Anstey slope twice in succession early on, setting the tone for the Alton scrum.

One ’Field back row quipped they were going to have a ’field day’ in the scrum - and in truth, Alton’s creaking scrum meant no solid platform for the backs, and that was ultimately difference between the teams.

Ten minutes into the match, the constant pressure of the ’Field forwards was rewarded with an unconverted try near the left touchline.

Alton then transgressed and gave Petersfield a kickable penalty.

From there on, the second quarter was one of Alton pressure and Petersfield stubborn defence - defence that saw Alton awarded three penalties.

And ’Field’s clearance kicking only saw their lineout struggle to secure the ball.

The final Alton penalty of the half was the result of some persistent infringements by ’Field, some unfortunate comments to the referee and a late tackle resulting in a yellow card for the visitors with five minutes of the half left, and the score at 12-8 to Alton.

The large travelling support felt ’Field were over-complicating, and play had become tense and error strewn.

But whatever was said at the break by the coaches seemed to instill some discipline, though some rustiness in basic skills were still evident.

The second half began with ’Field’s carded player still in the bin for another five minutes; but even with the full 15 restored, they struggled to break the stalemate with any real impact.

Eventually the visitors were awarded a penalty for offside, but Alton were rewarded with two kickable ones, putting the score 18-11 to the home side.

But once again ’Field’s forwards dominated to rumble over the Alton try line for a pushover try, but again the conversion was missed (18-16).

Alton seemed to be frustrated by the strength of Petersfield’s defence, and their efforts to cross the gain line saw them start to give away penalties.

Soon the referee had had enough and sent an Alton player to the sin bin for ten minutes for repeated infringements; the ensuing ’Field lineout saw the pack drive over and score again (18-21).

With time running out Alton camped in Petersfield’s 22 and it was only a matter of time before they were rewarded with a penalty in front of the posts, leaving the score balanced at 21-21 with just minutes to go.

But from the restart Alton were penalised and the final kick of the game saw Petersfield win 21-24, much to the visitors’ delight.