FOR THEIR first away tournament of the season, the Petersfield Rugby Club under-ten squad was chosen based on availability and attendance so far this season.

With such a strong age group, there were no worries about the competitiveness of a team selected this way.

The squad of 13 was in pool B along with Bournemouth and Eastleigh. New Milton and Winchester fielded two teams and each had one of those in pool B.

Petersfield’s first match was against Winchester and the players proved the point about the ability of the squad with a three tries to nil win in their first competitive match of the season. Both of the Horsfall twins showed their heels to the opponents to allow Field to break though and score.

Victory was in their sights and Hussell and James dodged and weaved and Faulkner won the ball from so many breakdowns, leading to a seven tries to nil win against Eastleigh.

Bournemouth provided some tough opposition. Stagg and Blackman defended hard while Bott and Horsfall pushed forwards and scored their customary tries. A small mix-up from management left Field with only six on the pitch and led to the first try against them, but Field still one by two tries to one.

Petersfield faced the hosts, New Milton, in their final pool match. Petersfield started strongly and kept it up with Siggars taking the ball hard into tackles and mauls and Mesney unlocking the pace to push into the opponents half, leaving Bambrough-Smith to score a try. A four tries to nil win was just reward for a good match and a sensational pool performance.

Petersfield had won the pool B stage with only one try conceded and 16 scored. The squad then went up against the winner of pool A, Winchester Two, who had won their pool against Fawley, Ellingham and Ringwood, Salisbury and the second New Milton squad.

Petersfield defended hard, but this Winchester team was far stronger than the one they had played in the pool stages. Winchester finished the match with a three tries to nil victory, as Petersfield finished in second place in the tournament.