A GOOD turnout from both Petersfield and Bognor enabled the teams to set up a friendly game of three periods to ensure all the players had good game time in a special match to introduce the U16s to play with their new U17 team mates – together comprising next season’s Colts.

The opening exchanges looked promising with both sides competing well for the ball and good hands creating opportunities. It was five minutes into the game before Mathews dissected the central space to score first for Petersfield.

He was to score again a few moments later and was also the grateful recipient of the final pass in a slick move arising out of a deep run from Mckintosh and offload from Rushin to score in the corner. With one conversion made the first period was to end with Petersfield 17 points to the good.

The second period saw a resurgent Bognor pick up the intensity and pace and after a period of pressure were to score from the right wing. Petersfield regrouped and solid defence now held Bognor at bay and Petersfield were soon to exert significant pressure of their own with penetrating breakthroughs, including from Renwick-Gray touching down having been released via a well-timed pass from Thomson.

The third period saw the front three in the pack for Petersfield continue to hold strong with Caines making yards and once again deft handling from the likes of Kay enabled Dylan to score and Hugo to add to the tally.

Despite the score ticking over nicely for the home side, Bognor kept battling and were never out of the game and their pacey winger broke through running half the length of the pitch to score in the corner.

Petersfield had the last word though with Hugo adding a further score with a pick and drive. It was duly converted by Kay, his fourth of the match, to give Petersfield a convincing 43-10 win.

A good match, quality rugby, with both sides now looking forward to next season’s challenges.