PETERSFIELD Rugby Club’s under-14s beat Tadley Tigers 17-12 in a hard-fought Hampshire Cup quarter-final match.

Field managed to hold on to their lead under increasing pressure in a robust clash.

Last season, at under-13 level, Petersfield played a dominant Tadley Tigers team at their ground north of Basingstoke.

The result was a crushing defeat by a superior team.

Earlier this season, the tables turned and the squad chalked up its first win against a depleted Tadley squad.

With Tadley seeded third in the tournament, it was clear the game would be another tough encounter.

With a slightly later than normal kick-off, a brilliant ball win and classy handling saw Horsfall scoop up the ball in the left-hand side of Petersfield’s own 22, gain control and move it through many hands to a very determined Dawes who, having slipped a few tackles, proceeded to sidestep three or four defenders and then out-sprint the rest before touching down just more than 70 seconds into the match.

Tricky and blustery winds made kicking difficult and a further two points were not forthcoming.

The coaches always knew this was going to be a tough game and the rest of the match demonstrated how the team have improved this year.

The boys got on with it with little input from the coaching team, but with a lot of vocal support from the watching Field faithful.

With tackle after tackle and superb defence from the Petersfield boys, 13 minutes in, Shaxson made the breakthrough and scored in the left-hand corner, putting Petersfield 10-0 up.

The Tigers never let their heads drop and continued to beat at Petersfield’s try line, drawing in the defence a little too much and leaving an overlap out right which was brilliantly utilised for a much-deserved try.

Field led 10-5 at half time.

A series of penalties dogged the early part of the second half but Whitear made the most of the opportunities, finding touch every time.

The home team put the pressure on from the start and spent several minutes camped on the Tadley try line.

Tadley had the ball, but constant pressure led to an error and a dropped ball by the Tigers was pounced on by Bott for try number three.

Whitear slotted this conversion through the posts to take Field’s lead to 17-5.

Petersfield dug in to defend their lead, but Tadley’s lightning centre cut the defence like a rocket to score under the posts.

With their conversion scored, only five points separated the teams with 60 seconds to play.

Tadley impressively kept the ball alive for a full four minutes until, finally, Petersfield regained the ball and launched it as far into touch as they could.

Field now progress to the Hampshire Cup semi-finals, which are set to be played on February 9.

They will have a home tie against either Winchester or Fawley.