PETERSFIELD secured a top-half position in their first season in London 4 SW, playing some excellent rugby to beat a valiant Old Emanuel side at Penns Place on Saturday.

For 30 minutes, 'Field played the best rugby of their league campaign and had the game almost wrapped up by half-time.

From the kick-off, Petersfield drove hard into the opposing half and only a penalty denied them a certain score.

The relentless pressure, with players running from deep on to pop-up passes, had the Emanuel defence reeling. Successive drives from the pack resulted in an excellent pick-up and touch-down by No 8 Scot Chesney. Dave Wheeler obliged with the extra points and Petersfield were on their way.

However, the home pack were penalised for holding in the tackle and fly-half Hardwick reduced the deficit with a well-struck penalty.

In earlier games, 'Field might have faltered, but the pack immediately regained momentum, driven on by James Martin at scrum-half. This sharp ball released centre Marien who found Rees coming up in support and the hooker put Richard Alderman over in the corner.

Petersfield looked confident in everything they did and with referee Roger Baileff prepared to let two teams who wanted to run enjoy the afternoon, the game swept along. Emanuel almost had the last word of the half, taking the ball forward 70 metres before a knock-on spoilt the attack.

The second half started with no slackening of pace and the visitors' attacks were only broken by the solid defence of Eldridge, Wheeler and Arnold.

Aggar and Palmer then contrived to steal the ball at the lineout. 'Field broke upfield and Chesney again took his chance to power over, Wheeler adding the conversion.

Emanuel were still determined to get back into the game and only some inventive and acrobatic work from the home backs contained their thrusts.

But the visitors were not deterred and a series of drives took them within the Petersfield 22, where good forward pressure put lock Freeman over, with Hardwick kicking the extra points.

The prodigious defensive efforts spelled the end for Chesney, but replacement Titheridge chipped in with a splendid cameo performance on the flank.

Then some nimble work by Arnold and the Martin brothers took 'Field into the Emanuel half again. The forwards piled up in support and the resultant penalty let Wheeler knock over three points to stretch the lead.

Perhaps fittingly, it was Old Emanuel who had the last word as prop McGovern scooped up the ball and crossed over. Hardwick again converted, but a tiring 'Field ran down the clock to complete a deserved victory.

"A good advertisement for the game," said Petersfield coach Mike O'Shea. "Two enthusiastic and committed teams playing hard, fair rugby."