President’s XV 12 Exiles XV 15: THE INCLEMENT weather of the preceding days receded over Christmas night bringing a grey and windy but, most importantly, a dry day for Petersfield Rugby Club’s traditional Boxing Day fixture.

Allied with the unseasonably mild temperatures the match attracted a host of players – 50 or so across both teams – and 100 or so family, friends and sport lovers. Those supporting were treated to a warm welcome from the clubhouse, with hot food and drinks available, and an absorbing competition on the pitch that resulted in one of the tightest matches in the last five years.

Despite the large attendance the fixture was almost killed as a competition before it started as it became clear that there was no referee available. Fortunately for the club, Andrew White – a qualified ref and son of former Scotland forward Derek – sacrificed his desire to play and took charge of the whistle; ably demonstrating in the process why he is being tipped for the top in refereeing circles.

The President’s XV v Exiles XV match is a Boxing Day tradition, a fixture intended to reunite the Exiles – those who had moved away from the club, for work, education, etc. – with their friends and former teammates. It has also become something of a fixture where dads can play alongside their lads, or, if they’re feeling brave, in opposition. This year was the fifth played for the Andy Millar Memorial Trophy, dedicated in honour of the man who had done so much for the club.

The match continues to be played at a high quality of rugby and the casual observer would have been hard pressed to recognise the match as a friendly, such was the commitment on display from both teams. It soon became clear that the sides were evenly matched and it took until the second quarter before the Exiles forced an overlap allowing Franko Tomic free to open the scoring.

Two more tries followed before the half ended; first Harley Orr – who can’t stop scoring for the second team – completed a drive from five metres out to score between the posts for the President’s men. Minutes later, the Exiles once again forced an overlap on the right wing to return the favour. With the President’s XV the only ones to convert their try, the first half ended 7-10.

The Exiles kicked off the second half and recovered the ball almost immediately. Jack Glancy was the main beneficiary as he scooted from his own half through the disorganised President’s defence to score under the posts. Sadly, his footwork with the conversion wasn’t as stellar and the ball ricocheted back off the left upright.

From the restart, the President’s men threw everything into the attack, mounting a sustained period of attack in the Exiles’ half. The Exiles defended manfully and managed to secure a breakout with an interception that would have taken them to the other try line but for a lung busting scramble by the opposition.

Minutes later and the Exiles were threatening the line again with yet another break out only for Tomic to be denied as he crossed the line by an excellent cover tackle from Josh Haslett. The President’s men went on the attack again and, ten minutes later, it was that man Orr again who broke through for his second try of the match.

The final minutes reverted to the cut and thrust seen at the start of the match with just enough time spent in the President’s half to allow the Exiles to run the clock down and win by a narrow margin.

At the final whistle all the players gathered for the trophy presentation and Jack Glancy was presented with the Andy Millar Memorial Trophy by Celia Millar and her son Iain.

Hopefully next year’s match will continue in the same vein but until then Petersfield Rugby Club looks to the second half of a season that started well for most of its junior and senior teams in 2015.