Guildford Veterans 8 Petersfield Veterans 19: A SEASONED but untested Petersfield Veterans’ team travelled up the A3 to play the first match of a six-game fixture list.

Petersfield immediately set out their stall and took the lead with a try from the evergreen Derek Eldridge. The initial break came from James Howell-Richardson, and the ball was recycled by scrum-half Jon Holroyd, allowing Eldridge to run in. The conversion was missed.

In the first half Petersfield gave a strong account in all the set pieces. Ian Cuthbertson anchored countless scrums while Chris Brooker ravaged any attempt by the hosts to build any foothold into the play.

The first half finished 5-3 to Petersfield, and the majority of the possession and play had come from the visitors.

Petersfield received the kick-off in the second half and played strongly into Guildford’s half.

Clever interplay allowed quick ball to move out to the backs. The move took Petersfield just short of Guildford’s try line, and Brooker went over for the second try of the afternoon.

The try was converted by captain Holden who found his range and dissected the posts to make the score 12-3.

Petersfield then won the put in from a scrum, and this was recycled quickly by McKay. Swift hands through the backs led to Andy Crook finishing the move.

Guildford scored an unconverted try in the last few minutes of the game, which showed the hosts’ commitment to the last.