Petersfield 24 Trojans 50: PETERSFIELD were scheduled to play Trojans in the cup on November 18 and the league on November 25.

However, to avoid future fixture issues, the teams agreed to nominate the fixture on November 25 as a ‘double-header’ at Penns Place, with the result attributed to both competitions.

Trojans were clear favourites for the match, but Field held their own in the first half and went in at the break as 21-17 leaders.

The visitors then scored five tries in the second half though to ease to victory.

Field had their moments to score in the second half with both possession and territory but failed to convert. Similarly, they had chances to relieve the pressure when in defence but failed to clear their lines and, in doing so, heaped more pressure on themselves.

The tale of the first half was one of missed tackles by Field. Trojans attacked confidently beyond the defensive line and Field’s scrambling defenders were outnumbered and overwhelmed on three occasions, but only one of these tries was converted.

With two minutes left of the first half Trojans were reduced to 14 by a yellow card.

Over the course of the first half Nick Blumlein kicked three penalties, Eddie Matthews benefitted from a tap-and-go penalty for his try and Josh Haslett scored following a few phases after a penalty lineout set Field up in the visitors’ 22, with Blumlein converting Haslett’s try.

Field’s only points of the second half came when Blumlein kicked his fourth penalty of the afternoon.

Petersfield head coach James Alder was pleased with his side’s display in the first half against Trojans.

Alder said: “In the main, Trojans’ scores in the first half resulted from our unforced errors and they showed a level of calmness to execute.

“When we had ball in hand our true potential was plain to see and we were very good value for our 21-17 half time score.”

The second half was tougher for Field though.

Alder added: “It was a very hard day at the office, and again we are left to rue our missed chances, both in attack and defence, at the end of a game.

“With the tenth different line-up in as many games it’s hard to build any continuity but we had some good performances and no one backed down from the challenge.

“Trojans have played in the London leagues for over a decade while we are comparative innocents at this level. This was the difference between the two sides at the end.”