Overton Colts 13 Petersfield Colts 17: AFTER a disappointing last season where they struggled to field a team, Petersfield’s Colts announced themselves in the Hampshire League with a win in their first fixture away at Overton.

The change of the colt playing set up in Hampshire seems to have paid dividends for Field. Dropping the under-19s from the mix appears to have encouraged more under-17s and 18s to continue playing rugby at the more senior level.

Overton were first on the board with a penalty, only for Bristow to hit back with a try. The commitment shown by Bristow to get the ball over the gain line at such an early point in the game set the precedence for the match.

Following his example, Field’s pack began to ramp up the pressure on their hosts. A courageous charge down from flanker Coles thwarted Overton’s effort to clear their lines; the loose ball was promptly swept up by Thomson who fed Coles for what looked to be another try only for the referee to rule the pass forward.

Several penetrating runs by the Overton players proved testing for the Field defence. Thomson came to the fore with some swift defensive moves holding up the Overton attack and giving his side time to regroup. Matthews again showcased his tackling prowess with several show stopping take downs.

The second half began with Field playing with the gradient. With the likes of Coles making penetrating runs through the Overton line, with exemplary support from the pack, the visitors dominated the early minutes of the second half.

Injury to Overton’s number eight galvanised the home side who mounted a powerful attack to score a well-deserved try, duly converted.

Undaunted, Field took the game straight back to the home side. A protracted period of pressure saw some excellent three-quarter play from Matthews and Rosenblatt, resulting in a lineout ten metres from the Overton line. Field’s pack, dominant in the air throughout, secured the ball for Devlin at scrum-half; the second phase ball saw White round off a determined personal effort with a try. Matthews wasted no time in kicking the conversion to put Field back on top.

For the remainder of the half both teams fought for command of the scoreboard. Overton scored next with a penalty before Thomson regained the lead with a try following a penalty lineout.

The last eight minutes of play were desperate and scrappy, each team refusing to concede to their opposition. Overton looked more than capable of turning their hard-fought effort into some points until a loose ball was dropped on by a determined Allen for Field. With his characteristic no-nonsense straight running, Allen powered the ball through numerous attempts from the Overton players to deny him possession. This strong run away from the Field try line signified the end of the final Overton attempt to take the game on home turf and sealed Field’s opening league win.