Petersfield 5 Chichester III 3: PETERSFIELD hosted Chichester in their first league fixture of the season.

Petersfield were hoping to start the season strongly and earn the three points after retaining the Cunliffe Cup against an invitational squad and winning against the club’s veteran team earlier this month.

Petersfield scored early on through Harris after a number of attacks and prevented Chichester from causing any damage to their defensive lines.

However, a Chichester attacker escaped from a Petersfield centre back and scored an equaliser for the visitors. Chichester then grabbed another goal to take the lead 2-1.

Petersfield equalised before half time when J Atkinson’s cross found Terry in space on the far post to slap the ball into the net.

At the break Petersfield were able to regroup and set the plan for the second half.

Petersfield increased the pace they had previously set, and the opposition made many mistakes.

Goals from Harris and J Atkinson led to frustration in the Chichester side, which saw some of their players get sin binned.

With ten minutes to go Petersfield received sin bins themselves for fouls in the middle of the pitch.

Chichester capitalised on the overload and pulled a goal back before Petersfield returned to full strength.

A reshuffle of fresh players provided a new release of energy which allowed Petersfield to control the game until the final minutes and go 5-3 up after a late goal by Harris completed his hat-trick.