PETERSFIELD’S men’s third team continued their winning start to the new season with a 3-2 victory against Bournemouth’s fifth team on Saturday.

Three juniors made their senior debuts against Bournemouth as they enjoyed a winning start to their adult hockey careers. The previous week’s match against Yateley saw a team with six other junior debutants register a resounding 5-1 victory.

Petersfield dominated possession in the first half against Bournemouth, with Nick Budden pouncing on a loose bouncing ball to lift the ball over the away team’s keeper for the game’s opening goal.

A number of excellent saves denied the home team further goals, with Budden, Ben White and Elliot White all going close, often as the result of excellent wing play from Alex Hulme. A goal late in the half, when Field failed to clear their D, allowed Bournemouth to get to half time level.

The game became very stretched in the second half with Josh Bardoe, Max White and Jonty Roberts exploiting the space in the centre of the pitch to launch a number of attacks. Elliot White slotted home at the keeper’s near post to regain the lead before scoring the goal of the match after good work from Hulme and Roberto Casabianca, firing home an unstoppable shot from the top of the D to establish a 3-1 lead.

After Bournemouth grabbed a second goal, Petersfield held firm with 13-year-old keeper Charlie Weller, outstanding in the first league game, again providing an excellent last line of defence.

Petersfield’s third team will travel to United Services Portsmouth’s men’s second team on Saturday.