PETERSFIELD 22, LOCKSHEATH PUMAS 17

PETERSFIELD managed to stay the course to win a scrappy match against bottom side Locksheath Pumas.

The bonus-point victory keeps ’Field’s hopes of escaping the drop alive, but their remaining two Hampshire 1 fixtures are tough ones – Fordingbridge away on April 16 and Sandown & Shanklin at home on April 23.

This was Petersfield’s fourth win of the campaign and second in the last three matches, and with the teams just above them stuttering, they move to within a point of Isle of Wight and Ellingham, the latter having played one game more.

This match again highlighted the frailties that have dogged ’Field this season and, truth be told, the Pumas could have won with better discipline.

Following a positive start, with the fleet-footed Harvey Belcher scoring after five minutes, the home side were under the cosh for much of the game.

Against the run of play, however, ’Field scored a second try. No 8 Craig Chance broke Pumas’ siege to make good yardage and then Belcher and Jack Glancy exchanged passes before the latter streaked away for the score.

The conversion missed, Petersfield led 10-0, but Belcher had been taken out during the move and was forced to retire.

Minutes later, the Pumas got on the scoresheet after returning a loose kick at pace through some lacklustre tackling.

Late in the first half, the sides exchanged tries. For ’Field, outside-centre Frasier Patience benefited from another good scrum and quick hands in the backs to run a strong line through the defence and under the posts.

The conversion duly followed, but Locksheath responded well and Petersfield’s lead was cut to five points at the break.

The second half followed a similar pattern, except that this time it was the Pumas who struck first as the visitors turned a messy scrum into front-foot ball, cantering through the home defence for another unconverted try.

’Field returned to the attack and, just before the end of the third quarter, scored their bonus-point fourth try from another scrum inside the Locksheath 22. A peel off the back of the scrum was followed by another powerful, this time unstoppable, charge by Chance.

The Reds were back in front, but it appeared to do nothing to calm their nerves and it was a nail-biting last quarter for the home supporters, even after the Pumas were reduced to 14 for a yellow card.