New Milton Colts 80 Petersfield Colts 6: PETERSFIELD Colts travelled short-handed to New Milton on Sunday and expected a tough day.

It was made even tougher as the match came the day after Field’s first team had so ruthlessly and efficiently beaten New Milton’s first team to secure the league title and promotion.

With a player loaned by their hosts, Field’s 14 players – many of them having to play out of position – took to the field knowing that they were in for a torrid time.

Both teams started brightly enough and Field more than held their own in the opening period. Indeed, Field had many occasions to rue the fact that they effectively had no back line. The forwards in the line acquitted themselves admirably, but the speedsters in the normal three quarter line would probably have made some tries.

After some 15 minutes of play New Milton scored their first try, duly converted. Field kept at it and, albeit with not much pace at their disposal, were still able to threaten the home side’s try line. The option of taking penalty kicks gained Field six points from the unerring boot of Matthews. With the injuries racking up and reducing the already depleted team, Field did well to contain the score to 26-6 in the first half.

As the second half progressed further injuries left Field with only 11 home grown players plus the loanee from New Milton.

Although the game was very obviously won by half time the home side chose to ram home their advantage, maintaining a full 15, with rolling substitutes, against the beleaguered 12.

The one-sided spectacle was enjoyed by the home support as the disparity in numbers created acres of space for their lads to attack.

Field refused to concede in the face of the rout and, in a last-ditch series of efforts, came very close to scoring a consolation try late on.