PETERSFIELD RFC President’s XV 22, Exiles XV 39. A scintillating demonstration of ten-a-side rugby delighted the masses at the traditional fixture on a bright and breezy Boxing Day at Penns Place.

The wet and wild weather of Christmas night persuaded many potential players to stay away, but there were sufficient intrepid combatants to form two tens teams.

The pitch was in pretty good shape and solid enough to allow the speed merchants to strut their stuff in the open spaces provided by the smaller format.

So it was no surprise that most of the tries were scored by the quick lads – Seb Tuff, Ian Palmer and Chad White, plus the slightly more pedestrian Josh Haslett, Eddie Matthews, Nick Blumlein and Toby Sydenham.

Almost immediately, the Exiles drew first blood, with Palmer touching down before essaying an excellent drop-kicked conversion.

The sides quickly exchanged scores through Tuff, for the President’s men, Sydenham and White for the Exiles, and then Tuff again to keep the Exiles within touching distance.

After the initial flurry of points, the teams settled into the unusual structure and the contest became less open. This may have been due to tactical nous or, possibly, the previous day’s excesses catching up with them. However, the Exiles scored again before the break, through Blumlein, to pull into a 22-10 lead.

Port and mince pies were taken onboard at half-time, but White increased the advantage before Tuff and Matthews pulled points back for the President. But the Exiles finished with a flourish and tries from Haslett and Palmer completed a comfortable victory.

The biggest cheer of the day came during the second half as Jim Millar finally hung on to a pass. He also earned the next loudest cheer – and a place in club history – when he was sin-binned five minutes later for a deliberate knock-on.

At the final whistle of a game ably refereed by Mark Wakeford, the players gathered for the presentation of the Andy Millar Memorial Trophy by Celia Millar to the Exiles captain, Toby Sydenham.

The Exiles have now won the Andy Millar Trophy five out of seven times.

President’s XV: Carl Wakeford, Eddie Matthews, Ray Farr, Jim Millar, Ryan Morse, Will Mathews, Mark Butcher, Seb Tuff, Matthew Momber, Harley Orr.

Exiles XV: Tom Harrington, Dan Luff, Jordan Allen, Seb Kay, Jack Glancy, Nick Blumlein, Chad White, Toby Sydenham, Ian Palmer, Josh Haslett.

• Petersfield RFC now look to the second half of a league season that started well for both junior and senior teams. All three senior sides are away this Saturday: the 1st XV at New Milton (hoping to complete the double); the 2nd XV at Havant ‘A’ and the 3rd XV at Gosport & Fareham.