Petersfield tamed in-form Romsey at Penns Place on Saturday and are now just three games from glory.

They will be champions if they beat Nomads and Hamble and, next month, Fareham Heathens in the mud at Cams Alder.

Romsey were roundly beaten by 'Field at the start of the season, but had won five games in a row before the weekend.

With the big former Hampshire back row Nick Roach in their line-up, they were not to be underestimated. But Petersfield can be rock-solid when the need arises.

It should be noted that besides leading the league and having amassed 663 points, Petersfield had conceded just 104 in the campaign before Saturday.

A stiff wind was blowing almost directly down the pitch and it became obvious that who used the elements best would gain a clear advantage.

Petersfield fly-half Anthony Lintern emerged as the key player. Arriving too late for the warm-up, he calmly strode on to the pitch and within 10 minutes had put 'Field ahead with a fine penalty kick and a superbly struck drop-goal, judging the wind to perfection, after Chesney and then Cuthbertson had crashed downfield to establish field position.

There were some fearsome forwards' clashes in the middle of the park and referee Roger Baileff had his work cut out to control the game.

Romsey piled on the pressure towards the end of the first half and were rewarded when Petersfield were caught offside and fly-half Andy Skinner kicked the three points.

On the restart, Petersfield poured into the Romsey half, now having the slope with them. Successive drives put 'Field within sight of the line and George Rees, powering forward in his own inimitable style, crashed over. Lintern converted and Petersfield were starting to pull ahead.

Their confidence was rising by the minute and as the back row gained control, the backs started to run. Richard Alderman showing a dazzling turn of speed to score on the left of the posts, Lintern adding the conversion.

Romsey were not deflected from their game plan and still took the game to 'Field. But Petersfield could see the title beckoning and kept driving forward.

Rees again surfaced near the line and went over for his second try.

After this, Romsey seemed content to limit the damage. 'Field again pressed hard in the closing minutes. Man-of-the-match Rees moved the ball from scrum-half and Aggar put a weighted pass out to Matt Rogers who strode in from the wing to score an excellent try.