PETERSFIELD Rugby Club’s under-tens came joint third in the Hampshire under-tens County Championship.

For the under-tens tournament, 20 teams were entered, but three drop-outs prior to the event required Gosport and Fareham and Petersfield to combine to form a Barbarians team, while Winchester were able to send a second squad.

Field’s pool contained Overton, Basingstoke, Winchester Black and US Portsmouth, four substantial opponents who would be no pushover.

Field kicked off with a 5-0 win in their first game, against US Portsmouth, giving them the confidence boost they needed to charge through the pool with a clean sweep – 2-0 against Winchester Black, Horsfall scored the only try in a tight match against Basingstoke and another good team performance helped them win 3-1 against a very big, physical and well-drilled Overton.

Field drew Winchester Gold in the semi finals. This was another close affair with both sides digging in defensively and stopping the most determined of attacks.

The first half was played almost entirely within five metres either side of the halfway line as the teams fought for dominance.

With the clock running down in the second half, Winchester set up camp on the Field try line.

Some brave defence kept the attack at bay for several minutes before a very well-timed drive broke through for the winning try.

Winchester went on to play Alton in the final, winning 1-0 to become under-tens county champions.