Petersfield 13 Sandown & Shanklin 22: SATURDAY was something of a return to last season’s revolving door selection issues for Petersfield’s first team, with coach Alder having to shuffle his pack to take into account a growing list of injuries and other absences.

The visitors hit their straps from the kick-off, and overwhelmed Field with pace and numbers in attack.

By the end of the first quarter, the visitors had scored two tries, one in either corner, but could not add the conversions. Field battled back in the second quarter and had perhaps their best spell of the game. The returning Painter put Field on the scoreboard with a 30-metre penalty midway through the period. Then, after a sustained period of possession in the opposition’s 22, Matthews benefitted from quick ball to streak in on the right wing. With the conversion missed, Field went in at the break trailing by two points at 10-8.

Field started the second half brightly with their pressure bringing two penalty attempts within the first ten minutes. The first shaved the right-hand upright and the second dropped just short, sliding under the middle of the crossbar.

The visitors weathered the storm and returned to their game plan, overwhelming Field’s defence to score two more tries and extend their lead to 14 points halfway through the last quarter. With three minutes to go Field again converted a period of pressure into a consolation try with Attwood crossing on the left wing.