Petersfield Colts 38 Millbrook Colts 24: WITH two depleted sides Millbrook kindly lent a player to even up and make a 12-a-side friendly game possible against Petersfield.

Petersfield started brightly and it was not too long before Cookson, making his first return in a number of years, held off a tackle to make his way to the line for the opening score.

In response Millbrook strung together some nice phases to score back and convert to take the lead.

Matthews, who read the game very well throughout, put the home team ahead again with a chip through, score and conversion.

Newton added to Field’s tally, using his pace and determination to score his first try in four years. Field won a penalty for their scrum half being tackled off the ball to deny a certain try. Fitzgerald benefitted from the quick tap and go to give Field a 24-7 lead at half time.

With renewed determination Millbrook pulled one try back at the start of the second half, and a number of handling errors denied them more opportunities to score.

Field negated this score with one of their own before Millbrook secured a brace of tries to bring them a converted-try from parity.

Matthews put the match beyond doubt with his third try from another quickly taken penalty and his fourth conversion, to make it 38-24.

While there was some scrappy play, reduced numbers made for an open and entertaining game played in the right spirit, and both teams hope to arrange a return match later this season.