PETERSFIELD Rugby Football Club brought the curtain down on their season with the annual pub sevens tournament at Penns Place.

This was the 22nd annual outing of this popular tournament, and in the unaccustomed heat the players put on a fine display of committed running rugby.

There were some new teams this year, and the Angel, the Hungry Boys, the Wave Maiden and the Three Cockerels all made it to the knockout stages.

The Cloisters Codgers RFC, however, were the pick of the first-timers, making it all the way to the cup final with the help of their star player, Charlie Amesbury.

Amesbury, a former Petersfield mini and junior player, is taking a break from professional rugby at Queens’ College, Cambridge, where he is studying for a Masters in Social Innovation and captaining the Light Blues XV.

Amesbury has played top-flight rugby for Harlequins, Newcastle Falcons and Bristol, and was part of the England Sevens squad which competed in the World Rugby Sevens Series.

In addition to the newbies, there was a strong turnout from the other district hostelries with the Charles Street Tap and the Queen’s Head joining the Clubhouse in putting out two teams, alongside the ever-present Folly Wine Bar, the Good Intent and the George.

After a keenly contested knockout stage, the finalists for the bowl and plate finals saw both the Bird in Hand and the Folly Wine Bar looking to defend the trophies they won last year.

Neither side was given an easy ride by their opponents, Coxy’s Windmill Inn and the Queen’s Head II, but they both dug deep to make it past the winning post to retain their honours.

The cup final also featured last year’s winner, the White Horse.

Having swept all before them, including blowing away the Charles Tap II in their semi final, the White Horse faced a Cloisters Codgers RFC side who had claimed a narrow victory against the Kings.

The well-drilled White Horse were too good for their opponents and ran up an early lead. Cloisters had their moments but were only able to score a couple of consolation tries as they were defeated 42-12.

At the conclusion of the day, club chairman and event organiser Stuart Barden was fulsome in his praise of the efforts of the competitors and the refereeing team. He also thanked Hassan and Sarah Mantini of the Trooper Inn for supporting the tournament.

Sarah presented the awards with the help of Sarah Hicks who, in honour of her late husband the renowned publican and club supporter Jerry, presented a tankard to Coxy’s Windmill Inn who were adjudged to have the best shirt.