Petersfield 10 Old Whitgiftian 8: PETERSFIELD earned a crucial win against fellow strugglers Old Whitgiftian at Penns Place on Saturday.

With numerous penalties stopping the flow in the first half, neither side were able to get into their rhythm and the sides went in at the break with Field 7-0 ahead.

Field’s try in the first half came from a well-worked move which put Eddie Mathews over for a try, which was duly converted by Nick Blumlein.

The second half started much like the first half with errors and penalties disrupting play.

Old Whitgiftian added to the scoreboard with a penalty as they struggled to make any movement towards the try line.

Field responded well from that setback and hit back with some good running rugby.

Petersfield’s efforts were rewarded with a penalty kick for Blumlein, and he successfully added the three points to put the home side 10-3 ahead.

Field continued to build with good possession and territorial advantage, only to find themselves on the wrong side of penalty decisions which let their guests off the hook.

A routine defensive five-metre scrum resulted in a wayward clearance kick, and Old Whitgiftian took full advantage to return the ball for a try.

The missed conversion left Field in a narrow 10-8 lead, and the home side managed to cling on until the final whistle to earn their first London 3 South West victory of the season.