Petersfield 36 New Milton & District 20: PETERSFIELD’S fixture against New Milton was always going to be a tense affair after Field pipped New Milton to the league title and automatic promotion last season with a thumping win.

It was the home team who drew first blood with a penalty from Nick Blumlein.

Field’s Josh Haslett then intercepted a generously presented ball and sprinted from his own 22 to score under the posts. Blumlein added the conversion.

As the first quarter ended, Field brought the score to 17-0 with a trademark bullocking run by Tom Franks. Blumlein added the extras.

Field were in the driving seat until poor decision making and loose tackling allowed New Milton to score.

Field finished the half on the front foot. Flanker Chris Ellis fielded a wayward cross-field kick from New Milton before haring down the wing. Ellis and Franks exchanged passes and Ellis reached over the line for Field’s bonus-point try.

New Milton scored the first try of the second half, but their delight lasted just five minutes as Blumlein fed Franks who had the easiest of run-ins. Blumlein then added the conversion.

Fifteen minutes into the second half Field lock Franko Tomic was sin-binned, but Field held the visitors off and added to their score as Joe Heath finished off a series of recycling moves to score on the right-hand side. Blumlein added the conversion.

The visitors then scored two easy tries late on to gain themselves a bonus point.