FARNBOROUGH 31, PETERSFIELD 12

PETERSFIELD went into the local derby at Oak Farm hoping to secure back-to-back wins for the first time this season.

But despite a spirited performance, they were unable to improve on the earlier 0-0 stalemate with Farnborough and suffered yet another away defeat.

As the game unfolded, it looked like it would be a familiar tale of ’Field failing to complete attacks. Like a darts player with the ‘yips’, their punishing season has robbed them of the confidence to press home an advantage.

Farnborough opened the scoring after four minutes, driving a penalty lineout maul over from the 22. Gareth Stewart got the touch-down and James Windle added the conversion.

The visitors fought back and set up camp in the opposing half, but despite having good possession and territory for the next 20 minutes, it was Boro who scored again as they punished ’Field’s inability to clear their lines.

Loosehead prop Nick Wilder picked up from the back of the ruck and used his massive frame to make 10 metres before being stopped. Skipper Richie Graham got forward momentum going again and then Wilder reprised his slow march to score the try.

Petersfield, meanwhile, continued to fluff their lines when they had the advantage. With some skilful runners in the back line, it was frustrating to see them fall back on the ‘miracle’ kick through, rather than trust to hands.

However, ’Field at last turned pressure into points. A mis-throw at a lineout put Boro under pressure. Skipper Gareth Crane ripped the ball from the hapless recipient to set up a ruck and quick ball to the backs allowed Sam Rushmer to barrel through and over between the posts.

So, little between the sides at the break, with Boro leading 12-7.

The early stages of the second half were disrupted by injuries to the home side and errors by both teams and it was some time before a meaningful attack was launched.

Again, it was Rushmer who provided the spark for ’Field as he made two tackles in quick succession to panic the Boro defence. He then gathered a woeful clearance kick by Windle before feeding Harvey Belcher who needed no second invitation to sprint for the line wide on the right. All-square at 12-12.

But in two short minutes, Rushmer went from hero to villain; sin-binned when adjudged to have tackled Lee Kirkham dangerously. With Graham retaliating, both teams were down to 14 players for ten minutes.

For a time, Petersfield gave as good as they got, but then a second yellow card, this time for Craig Chance, turned the game decisively Boro’s way. The wheels came off ’Field’s battle bus and with ten minutes remaining, Farnborough cut loose and hammered home their advantage.

James Miller finished off between the posts after a great run by Harry Brewer and Liam Jones also scored under the sticks for the bonus-point try.

With the last play of the game, Jones scored again to give the scoreline a misleadingly one-sided appearance. Even so, Boro were worthy winners.

Mathematically, Petersfield can still survive in the division, but they need bonus-point wins from their three remaining fixtures, while relying on other results to go their way. They meet bottom side Locksheath Pumas on April 2 and must fulfil their latent potential in front of their home crowd.