Stoneham 14 Petersfield 2nd XV 29: ALTHOUGH the first team’s match at Locks Heath Pumas postponed due to a waterlogged pitch, Petersfield Rugby Club’s second team were in action on Saturday as they travelled to Southampton University’s playing fields to meet Stoneham.

Field’s second team knew they needed to win against Stoneham to keep ahead of them in the league. Victory for Stoneham, meanwhile, would have seen them leapfrog Field into second place.

Field appeared to struggle to get into their groove in the first half due in part to the conditions; the fierce wind that blew across the rain-slick pitch doing nothing to open the overhanging low grey cloud. Despite this, Field led 10-7 at half time with scrum-half Charlie Partington scoring the first and setting up the second with a break down the right-hand side. With the scrambling defence closing him down against the touchline, Partington had the presence of mind to produce a cross-field kick into the in-goal area. The switch of play caught all bar Franco Tomic flat-footed and it was child’s play for the lock to touch down.

It took until midway through the third quarter for Field to score again, this time through some fine solo play by Ben and Tim Thomas, no relation. First was Ben Thomas, with an elegant, jinking run through the 22; quick feet dancing around the despairing tackles of the staggered Stoneham defence. Groves defeated the wind to secure Field’s first conversion.

Field took control immediately from the restart and the ball was fed out to Tim Thomas who set off on a barnstorming run from halfway to the try line, breaking tackles and bouncing defenders as he went. Groves again added the extras.

That should have been the cue for Field to break loose, but Stoneham refused to buckle and stubbornly denied their guests any further scores until the start of the final quarter. This time the forwards were rewarded for their general dominance in the set piece with a pushover try from a five-metre scrum; Jez Samworth dotting down as the ball crossed the line.

The match ended with the hosts on the front foot, and they finally managed to turn their possession and territory into points with the final try of the game.

Field’s second team return to base for their last league match of 2015 against Gosport and Fareham’s third team. Field will be aiming to end the year with their seventh league win on the bounce.