Petersfield 17 Havant 2nd XV 17: FIELD had to settle for a draw from their Hampshire Premier game against Havant’s second team under the floodlights at Penns Place on Friday night.

Field had the best of the weather in the first half, kicking off towards the River Rother with the wind at their backs and immediately setting up a strong attacking platform in their opponents’ 22.

Petersfield’s initial efforts failed to deliver as Havant held firm but the home side continued to press the Havant defence and were rewarded on five minutes as inside centre Greg Jansen crashed over for the opening try of the game.

The conversion, just to the right of the posts, was a formality for Nick Blumlein.

The game continued in the same pattern and Field doubled their tally after the forwards drove over when number eight, Harley Orr, carried the ball at the back of a rolling maul and secured an easy score. Blumlein added the conversion.

Havant came back into the game and scored a converted try five minutes into the second quarter, which was to be the last score of the half.

The second half was one of frustration for Field. In spite of Havant having the wind advantage, it was the home side who dominated possession and territory.

The Havant defence was imperious, though, and their efforts, allied with a lack of accuracy at crucial moments from Field, restricted the home side to a single penalty at the start of the half.

Punts down the pitch, meant to keep the Field defence turning, were expertly fielded with the rain lashing into their faces by left wing Jay Bremner and full back Will Mathews, and returned at pace to the Havant half.

Their fellow backs showed no fear in moving the ball through the hands, trying the inventive running rugby that has become the side’s stock in trade this season.

Not to be outdone, the forwards showed their usual dominance at scrum time, with the Havant forwards being the latest in a long list of packs to be destroyed.

Unfortunately for Field their demolition job was too good, and the Havant props retired to bring about uncontested scrums for the final quarter.

The change helped dent Petersfield’s attacking threat in the 22 and came as a huge relief to the visitors as they could finally be assured of clean ball from the set piece to clear their lines and force Field to build again.

The home side thought they had crossed the line on two occasions only to be denied.

Havant, meanwhile, showed how to be ruthless, scoring a converted try and penalty on their rare visits to the Field 22 to bring parity to the score.

The final quarter was dominated by Field, but without reward, and the reactions of the two teams at the final whistle spoke volumes – Havant celebrating a draw like a win and Petersfield ruing missed opportunities.

The draw drops Field from the title-chasing pack for the first time this season as both Alton and Sandown and Shanklin continued their winning ways.

There is a break from Hampshire Premier rugby next weekend, with the fixtures kicking off again on November 9 with a tasty match-up as Field travel to the island to meet Sandown and Shanklin.

The club won’t be quiet this weekend, though. If the semi final was any indicator, Field’s clubhouse will be heaving with punters supporting England in the Rugby World Cup final and sampling a breakfast.

Doors open at 8am with kick-off from 9am.