Petersfield XV 21 Royal Navy President’s XV 38: IN A first for Petersfield Rugby Club, Penns Place welcomed a Royal Navy President’s XV on Wednesday night for a rugby match in aid of the Royal Navy and Royal Marines Charity.

The packed programme for the evening ahead of the main match started with supper in the clubhouse. Those unable to secure a ticket for the supper were well catered for with a barbecue, an alfresco bar and refreshments from the In Touch Cafe.

The expectant crowd gathering pitch-side were entertained with a couple of warm up games; one an under-nines match between Petersfield and US Portsmouth and the other an in-house affair that pitched Field’s under-12s against the under-13s.

Playing under the lights didn’t faze Field’s under-nines, and they worked well to beat their guests. In retrospect, the under-12/13 contest was eerily similar to the senior match that followed; the under-13s started very strongly, scoring powerfully in the opening minutes, and the younger side was forced to defend manfully to prevent a repeat. As the game drew on, the under-12s seemed to realise that there wasn’t such a big difference between them and their opponents and they settled into their stride. What followed was a highly entertaining match of cut and thrust which ended honours even.

As the pitch was made ready for the introduction of the teams, the crowd were treated to a selection of music from the Royal Navy Band of HMS Sultan, the marching band being possibly another first for the rugby club. The teams and match officials from the RN RFU Referees Society were then introduced to the club’s special guests for the evening.

In putting the Petersfield side together for the match coach Andy Patience called on most of his first XV pack regulars to provide the powerhouse for the team bolstered by a few forwards from the second XV that has been tearing up their league so far this season. The backs were a similar mixture of first and second team players with an exciting sprinkling of youth in the shape of Stuart Wiggs, Eddie Matthews and Charlie Partington.

Field started the first half playing towards the Taro with the high wind, sleeting rain and the Royal Navy in their faces. The game looked over for Field in the first quarter as they were firmly caught in their own half; attempts to relieve the pressure scuppered by the stiff wind. As the quarter ended Field were three tries down. The try-rate slowed and it took 15 minutes for the Navy to coast over for their fourth, the fifth following five minutes later to end the half 31-0.

While not quite as definitive in terms of territory as the first half had been for the Navy, the second half belonged to Field. The home team tightened up possession, denying their opponents ball to play with, and drove deep into Navy territory to pressure the line. The second XV’s try-machine, Harley Orr, took advantage of a free-kick awarded for Navy indiscretion at a five-metre scrum to take a quick tap and he barrelled over for a score. Jameson coolly slotted the extras.

Despite changes of personnel, Field’s scrum dominated throughout the second half, and it was through the scrum that the home side doubled their points tally. With the Navy pinned back, Field took the scrum option for a succession of penalties until the referee had seen enough and raced for the posts; Jameson again true with the boot.

In spite of Field’s resurgence, the Navy remained a danger throughout the half and when Field’s defence became fragmented with ten minutes on the clock, they needed no second invitation to sail through for their sixth try.

Field themselves were not done either and resumed their blockade of the Navy’s try line. It was another five-metre scrum that provided the launch-pad for an attack minutes from time. Centre Fraser Patience finished the move, cutting from the open to the blind side to score near the left corner and Jameson, again, calmly hoisted the ball through the uprights.

All-in-all, a cracking game of rugby with Field beaten by a very good Navy side but restoring pride through dogged determination and the ability to execute a changed game plan.