PETERSFIELD Rugby Club head coach James Alder is pleased with his side’s start to the season following their promotion.

Field won the Snows Group Hampshire 1 title last season to secure their place in London South West 3.

And after two wins from their first three league games, Petersfield have made a promising start to life at a higher level.

“We’ve had two wins and a loss and the game we lost at Warlingham was because we lost it rather than the opposition winning it,” said Alder.

“It’s not a bad start and I’m feeling confident.

“We have to win our home games and take what we can away from home.”

Field have managed to make Penns Place a fortress so far this season, with home wins against Teddington and New Milton and District sandwiched by the defeat away at Warlingham.

Petersfield are on the road again tomorrow (Saturday), when they make the short trip to Portsmouth, and despite a number of injuries Alder is not making any excuses before the game.

“We’ve got eight players out injured on Saturday,” said Alder.

“We had four injuries in the first game, two in the second game and two more this weekend.

“It may seem obvious but there is more physicality in the higher league and the impact in the tackles is a lot harder.

“We won’t be weak on Saturday though, and for the players that get selected it’s a chance to stake a claim and make the shirt their own.”