New Milton 22 Petersfield 31: AFTER the carnage of last week’s encounter against Portsmouth, Petersfield head coach James Alder faced the biggest selection challenge of his tenure for the re-arranged fixture against New Milton.

However, Field’s patched-up side beat a New Milton team they pipped to the Hampshire 1 title last season.

The first score came after a couple of minutes when New Milton scored in the corner from a turnover.

Field were not disconcerted by the early setback and Toby Sydenham crashed over after a sequence of pick-and-goes by the pack. Nick Blumlein added the extras to put Field into a narrow lead.

Field’s second try came after a similar set up but this time it was finished in the backs. Blumlein chipped a penalty crossfield for winger Josh Haslett to score the try, which was unconverted.

Field’s third try came from a fine individual effort by Seb Tuff off the back of a good passing move. The outside centre scored the try of the match, a 40-metre break to score under the posts, leaving half a dozen defenders in his wake. Blumlein added the conversion.

The visitor’s bonus point fourth try came after New Milton’s second try, with the powerful Zak Jenkins breaking a tackle and finishing. Blumlein’s conversion meant Field led 24-10 at half time.

The second half was a battle for Field and New Milton scored two tries to gain their own four-try bonus point. Field put together some good phase play and were rewarded with their final try as Haslett claimed his second.