A THREADBARE Petersfield men’s third team of eight players succumbed to a strong Southampton Otters side 8-1 on Saturday, but they produced a fine performance given the circumstances.

The away side held out for ten minutes, with Morley, Nick Budden, Rowland and Broadmeadow in the Petersfield goal keeping Southampton’s marauding attackers at bay.

Eventually, the numbers told and the unmarked left winger put two sharp chances away under the Petersfield goalkeeper.

Despite the home side’s dominance, Petersfield made regular forays into the Southampton half, with Josh Bardoe linking well in midfield with the tireless running of Casabianca, ably supported by Jacob Rump and John Budden.

After Southampton scored a third, N Budden won a penalty corner which he converted at the second attempt to take the half time score to 3-1.

Fitness told in the second half and, despite winning further penalty corners, Petersfield could not provide a reply to the five goals Southampton scored in the second half, which included own goals from Morley and N Budden.

The defeat leaves Petersfield in sixth place in the Hampshire Division Eight (Men) table.

Petersfield will hope to return to winning ways when they travel to ninth-placed Alton’s fifth team on Saturday.