Locks Heath Pumas 3 Petersfield 5: PETERSFIELD’S beleaguered first team travelled to take on fellow strugglers Locks Heath Pumas on Saturday.

With the fixture postponed from December, due to unplayable pitches, this was the first time the two sides met this season.

Field had the elements behind them as they embarked on securing a much-needed result against their closest rivals in the League 1 basement battle.

However, the spirited Locks Heath team more than compensated for the strong wind in their faces and the well-drilled Field pack that battered them relentlessly.

Finally, it was a well-rehearsed set piece lineout that undid the courageous hosts with Will Atkinson peeling from the back of the resultant driving maul to score. Jameson was unable to add the conversion.

Field were disappointed not to take more from the first half, especially as Locks Heath had made clear their intent – one of their efforts failing only due to the work of Field’s captain Crane who managed to get his body between the ball and the turf to prevent a seemingly certain score.

The hosts continued with the same intent from the restart; Field’s ability to gift penalties to their hosts meant that each one was going to be met with a wind-supported effort at the posts. Fortunately for Field, the Locks Heath kicker was off target with three of his four efforts and so left the door open for Field to finish strongly, falling short of the try line on several attempts.

Given their ongoing troubles with availability and constant changes in the back division, this was pleasant reward for Field’s buoyant spirit behind recent results.

The teams meet again at the start of April, when the Pumas visit Penns Place for the return fixture. Field will be hoping they can secure more valuable points to ensure that the match isn’t played out to decide who finishes last. Their fixture next Saturday, away to second-placed Millbrook, will present a stiff challenge.