Portsmouth 39 Petersfield 15: PETERSFIELD travelled to Portsmouth on Saturday for the first ever league fixture between the two sides.

Field were trailing by a try within three minutes and by 12 points after five, dropping off tackles for the first and falling to a pop ball to the blindside winger off the back of a scrum for the second.

Field gathered themselves and Michael Robbins grounded the ball for a try which was neatly converted by Josh Haslett. However, Portsmouth hit back, capitalising on some poor defence by Field to run in another try on the far right wing which was not converted.

With ten minutes left in the half the home side were penalised for a high tackle, and a yellow card was handed out. Haslett kicked the penalty to make it 17-10.

Portsmouth scored two more tries while down to 14 men, one of which was converted. During the final few minutes of the half the hosts were penalised for tackling high and reduced to 13 men.

In the second half, one home player after another was sent for ten minutes in the sin bin – in all Portsmouth collected four yellow cards for the same infringement. Despite their reduced numbers, the hosts were able to score two more unconverted tries, while Field collected a consolation try when Harley Orr picked up and crashed his way over the line.

With five minutes to go Field prop James Dryden was knocked unconscious at a ruck, necessitating the services of an ambulance. He was given the all-clear and released from hospital later.

Head coach James Alder was proud of his team’s display.

Alder said: “Portsmouth are a very big and experienced side, playing with a lot of aggression, and this was at times very evident.

“The second half was a scrappy affair with consistent infringement by Portsmouth but to our credit we continued to play positive rugby.

“Despite the scale of the defeat, there are a lot of positives to take from this game. Our lineout operated better than previously and our reconfigured back line continued to step up despite the Portsmouth pressure – there was a period of 30 minutes when the guys held Portsmouth out between scores.

“Every player should be proud of their effort, and desire to play the right way. Every player showed grit, energy and willingness to match everything Portsmouth did. Portsmouth won’t underestimate us when they come to Penns Place.”