TOTTONIANS top the league with a 100 per cent record, but Petersfield recovered from a poor start to run them closer than the score suggests at Southampton on Saturday.

However, Petersfield must still address the problem they give themselves with their slow start to games.

Tottonians began strongly and the 'Field defence were under immediate pressure. Within 20 minutes, the home side had built a 16-0 lead.

Despite the heavy conditions, Michael Searle scored a try, converted by Paul Goodall, who also slotted over three penalties.

Those penalties, conceded inside their own half, will have annoyed skipper Derek Eldridge and the Penns Place coaches. To their credit, however, Petersfield put the early setbacks behind them.

Through more aggressive, better organised defending, they changed the pattern of the game, and began to match the league leaders in every area.

Petersfield deservedly reduced the arrears through a Neil Arnold penalty, making it 16-3 at half-time.

The visitors even took the game to Tottonians in the third quarter. James Rapley rallied the forwards and they set a fine platform for Petersfield to dominate.

But Tottonians' defensive record is impressive this season and it was this strength that saw them through a period of intense Petersfield pressure.

Arnold was unlucky not to be awarded a penalty try when the final pass seemed to be deliberately knocked on, only gaining 'Field a penalty kick.

Despite their improved showing, Petersfield were unable to work the crucial openings, and it was a cruel blow when Simon Dine clinched victory for Tottonians with a late try, Goodall again adding the conversion.

For much of a hard-fought game, Petersfield had matched the league's top side and they should draw comfort from that, despite the emphatic scoreline.

"Tottonians took their chances," said full-back Eldridge. "Totts have said this was their hardest game of the campaign so far and we can build on that."

Petersfield have a week's rest before they take on strong Surrey club, Purley John Fisher, sitting fifth close behind 'Field and with a game in hand.