LOCKSHEATH 3, PETERSFIELD 5

PETERSFIELD revived hopes of avoiding the drop by winning the basement battle at Locksheath Pumas.

’Field had the elements with them as they began this re-arranged fixture, but the spirited Pumas more than compensated for the strong wind in their faces and a well-drilled pack coming at them relentlessly.

Finally, a well-rehearsed lineout undid Locksheath as Will Atkinson peeled off the back of the resultant driving maul to score.

Will Jameson had left his kicking boot behind and Petersfield were disappointed not to take more from the first half, especially as Pumas had made clear their intent. One of their valiant efforts only failed because captain Gareth Crane managed to get his body between the ball and the turf to prevent a seemingly certain score.

In the second half, ’Field continued to gift penalties to the hosts who now had the wind to help. Fortunately for the visitors, the Pumas kicker was off target with three of his four efforts and so the door was left open for ’Field to finish strongly, falling just short of the try-line on several attempts.

Given their ongoing availability problems and constant changes in the back division, this was a welcome victory for Petersfield – only their second of the season – and due reward for their buoyant spirit.

The Pumas will visit Penns Place for the return fixture in early April and ’Field will hope to secure valuable points before then to ensure that the match is not played out to decide who finishes bottom.

In the 2nd XV fixture, Petersfield II lost 12-8 to Locksheath II who thus avenged their earlier defeat. It was only a second league defeat for ’Field who were missing talismanic vice-captain Harley Orr.

’Field twos remain eight points clear at the top of the Hampshire Merit South-East, but second-placed Fareham II have two matches in hand.