On the day rugby might have been the winner, but Petersfield weren’t as they went down 87-10 in their Hampshire Counties 1 clash at second-placed Eastleigh.

The issue for Field was once again players’ injuries, and what appears to be an unwillingness to travel to play in tough games.

On Saturday the lack of manpower resulted in veteran and third-team players being called up to the first team, and unhesitatingly accepting the challenge.

A Petersfield spokesman said: “The players can hold their heads high – this match was fulfilled against the odds of player injuries and availability.

“The combined age of the Field wingers was 115 years – and five other players’ combined ages were another 210 years.”

Field are fourth from bottom in the league, just one point ahead of Bournemouth, and the first half saw Eastleigh run in nine tries without too much trouble, with two converted.

In response, a mazy run down the wing resulted in Field forcing a rolling maul over the Eastleigh try-line for Sam Brown to touch down and claim the unconverted try.

This brought the score at half-time to 49-5.

From the restart, the home side’s try-fest continued unabated, although at a slightly reduced rate.

Despite what appeared to be one-way traffic at times, Field took the game to the home side, pinning them back in their own half.

Excellent close support play, and strong and committed rucking, mauling and scrummaging kept Eastleigh deep in their own half for 15 minutes.

But the home side managed to break the Petersfield hold with two breakouts.

Once again, when released ball in hand, Eastleigh’s pacy wings knew the way to the Field try-line.

And despite Field’s valiant efforts, they could not capitalise on what possession and territory they gained.

Petersfield’s man of the match Ryan Morse (pictured right in lineout action) continually threatened, and just before full-time Jake Bosher collected a crossfield kick close to the Eastleigh try-line. He pirouetted though several defenders to score in the corner, leaving the score at 87-10.

An Eastleigh spokesperson said that despite the scoreline, the Petersfield players’ determination and never-say-die attitude gave a few of their players a tough afternoon.

The spokesman also said Eastleigh have had major issues with availability and commitment from players, citing the autumn internationals as one of the reasons.

Following the drubbing, Petersfield coaches, management team, physios and players hope that with no fixtures for two weeks, the injury list will reduce.

The Penns Place club have been struggling with player commitment from the start of the season, and the long-term – and growing – injury list is adding to the coaching team’s woes.

There is also the hope that many more players will make themselves available for selection to travel to Basingstoke on December 3 for the first of the season’s return fixtures.

Petersfield squad: Jamie Hobbs, Jamie Williams, Sam Brown, Mark Butcher, Jorge Villalon, Jake Bosher, Ryan Morse, Eryn Eales, Gareth Williams, Alex Groves, Jim Elgar, Carl Sharrock, Nick Mann, Dom Ringrose, Gerry Devlin.