Andover 26 Petersfield 22: PETERSFIELD travelled to Andover hoping to end their losing start to the season in London South West 3.

Andover took the lead by way of a penalty, but Field stuck to their game plan and scrum half Michael Robbins evaded the Andover defence before putting in a deft kick in behind them for the fleet-footed Jim Tribe to zip onto and score. The kicking duties reverted to Josh Haslett, who coolly slotted the extras.

Following the restart, Field’s lead was quickly improved as Haslett punished an Andover infringement with a sweetly-struck penalty. The game then became scrappier, with play broken up by handling errors, poor decision-making and penalties, one of which Andover kicked to narrow the deficit.

Field’s captain, Jack Lumbard, was given a ten-minute break on the touchline for a transgression which saw him awarded a yellow card.

The second half saw Field back to full strength and scoring again to extend their lead as a well-worked move was finished off up the sloping pitch by Lumbard. This time, however, Haslett could not add the extra points.

Andover played their pitch to their advantage and used the slope well to punish Field errors, scoring with tries and penalties to take and then build the lead.

Field put together a solid passage of play, breaking the home defence and moving the ball swiftly to Tom Land, who crossed for Field’s third try. Haslett’s conversion took Field back to within one point of their hosts.

Andover then kicked another penalty to win 26-22.