AFTER a heavy overnight downpour, the omens did not look good for the Petersfield Mini Rugby Tournament. However, the 400 youngsters involved adapted well to the heavy conditions and provided spectators with some sparkling rugby.
The games were played at tremendous pace and the skills demonstrated by players aged six to 12 was exceptional.
New entrants this year included Old Guildfordians, Bournemouth, Portsmouth, Bognor and US Portsmouth. The competition was much closer across all age groups than in previous years, and there was considerable tension on the touchline. The tournament was sponsored by Oserve, a software solutions consulting company.
Petersfield U/12s started strongly in their pool, beating Andover 7-0. Petersfield's more expansive style produced a try for Michael Barton and conversion by Jonathon Pryce . However, in this powerful group, Petersfield lost to Gosport & Fareham and then to Havant by 7-0. They finished third and went forward to meet Havant Dolphins in the Plate semi-finals. Player of the week Aimee Holloway crashed over to score and this was followed by 'Field's try of the day by Joe Cotton, resulting in an excellent 14-5 victory.
In the final, Petersfield faced Farnham, a team they had not beaten for many years. However, Farnham had played an extended semi-final, beating Andover on a 'golden try'. An inspired Aimee Holloway scored two tries as she demolished the Farnham defence. Holmes added a further try and Pryce converted all three, Petersfield winning 21-7.
Petersfield U/12 squad: Jonathon Pryce (capt), Robert Luff, Aimee Holloway, Michael Barton, Michael Downes, Seb Pont, Tom Tremlett, Tom Bate, James Graham, Joe Cotton, Charlie Attwood, Dougie Harwood, Tom Greenman, Rhys Wake, Kieran Binks, Matthew Holmes.
Petersfield U/11s, after a string of fine wins, finally lost 5-0 to Farnham in the Shield final.
In their group matches, Petersfield beat Andover 5-0 (try Charlie Willans), Gosport & Fareham 7-0 (try Ollie Stoodley, conv Willans) and Havant Sharks 14-0 (tries Max Watton, Joe Atkinson). Tim Tripp was unlucky to have a try disallowed in the last game. Player of the Week: Max Watton.
Farnham U/8s scored a 'golden try' to win an exciting final against Havant. Runners-up last season, Farnham claimed their second winners' medals of the year with a string of solid performances. They overcame US Portsmouth, Havant Dolphins and Petersfield Tigers, scoring 16 tries in the process.
As group winners, they came up against a strong Gosport & Fareham side in the semi-finals. A gritty display saw Farnham edge Gosport out by two tries to one.
The final was a tense affair. Havant took an early lead and at half-time that single score separated the teams. Time was running out for Farnham in the second half. Then a hard-earned turn-over gave them the ball and a quick breakaway saw an equalising try in the last play of normal time. Sudden-death followed ... the next try would win the tournament.
During a period of intense Havant pressure, with Farnham camped on their own try-line, a score looked certain. But Farnham simply refused to give in. Eventually the ball was won and a string of quick passes gave Farnham victory.