Fareham Heathens 2nd XV 27 Petersfield 2nd XV 0: PETERSFIELD’S second team travelled to Fareham Heathens at the weekend.

Still on a high from their battle at Tottonians, a victory which took them to the top of the table, they took 18 players to Fareham, although the home side had a big squad that harboured a generous number of first team players.

The Heathens made five substitutions in the first 20 minutes – all in the front five.

Field put together some early possession and had Heathens on the back foot for large chunks of the first half.

A quick tap penalty by player-coach Steve Woolcombe almost rewarded the visitors with the first try of the game, only to be denied by Fareham defenders.

The second half kicked off with the scores level at 0-0.

During the break the Heathens made further changes, swapping out half of the side that finished the first 40 minutes for fresh legs.

Field manfully tried to compete and started the second period well but Heathens had recognised that their guests’ lack of replacements, allied with the attrition of the first half, had taken its toll.

With Field unable to manage the space out wide, the Heathens ran in four tries.

In the dying few minutes Field rallied on the Heathens 22 but were thwarted.

Frustration grew in the Field camp, resulting in Chris Brooker being invited to take a ten-minute rest.

Despite being a man down, Field continued to press, but were unable to convert their pressure into points.