West Wilts Veterans 2 Petersfield Veterans 9: PETERSFIELD Veterans played their best passing hockey of the season to win a one-sided game.

Field’s attacking prowess was evident from the start, bolstered by Thompson being released from defensive duties and combining well with Parker on the right. However, numerous chances came and went for Pruden, Hulme, Parker and Dryden-Brownlee in the first ten minutes – most being hit wide, with the West Wilts keeper rarely called into action. Finally, Hulme’s incisive run found Dryden-Brownlee on the left who crossed the ball precisely for Parker to sweep in at the far post. This was swiftly followed by Parker adding a second through self-preservation, neatly converting Pruden’s chest high cross.

Although Rowland was marshalling the Petersfield defence well, it took a good last ditch tackle from Martin to prevent West Wilts drawing one back. Shortly before half time, Petersfield scored their third, when Liddle looped the ball over the West Wilts keeper from Hulme’s drive from outside the D.

Petersfield started the second half in the ascendency as they had finished the first. They added a fortuitous fourth goal when Thompson’s miss-hit penalty corner found Dryden-Brownlee who flicked the ball past the advancing keeper at the second attempt. Pruden added a fifth with a reverse-stick strike from the edge of the D, before West Wilts drew one back when the Petersfield defence missed tackles and failed to take opportunities to clear the ball, allowing the left winger to pass the ball into the goal, under the Petersfield keeper. This spurred the away side back into action, with Pruden finding his range with two open-sided shots from the edge of the D and Budden adding an eighth with a neat flick from a tight angle. Parker completed Petersfield’s scoring from the penalty spot after his flick was saved by a West Wilts defender with his body. Just before the final whistle Petersfield showed their defensive frailties, failing to clear the ball and allowing West Wilts to score after three saves from Broadmeadow, the Petersfield keeper. Petersfield were well worth their win and, arguably, should have scored more.