PETERSFIELD 0, FAREHAM HEATHENS 49

FAREHAM Heathens maintained their push for the Hampshire 1 championship with a crushing win over Petersfield who are fast becoming adrift in the bottom two of the division.

Heathens, who scored nine tries at Penns Place, remain third and have a game in hand on Millbrook and Bognor above them.

The visitors led 15-0 at the interval after tries from Andy Burns, Inia Qiolevu and Jassan Solanki.

Steve Devoy and Matt Smith scored two tries apiece in the second half. Burns got his second and Cam Guthrie also touched down.

Guthrie also kicked two conversions in the tricky conditions.

Petersfield had their chances, particularly in the first half, but failed to convert pressure into points.

Adding to Petersfield’s woes, the two teams above them both won. Ellingham beat Farnborough 8-3, while Isle of Wight pulled off a surprise by defeating Fordingbridge 43-26.

Barring a dramatic turnaround, ’Field look destined for the drop and the fall-out from this match may compound the situation.

Somewhat bizarrely for a game that was fiercely competitive, yet not really bad-tempered, Petersfield collected a yellow card and a straight red. With no opposition players involved, the cause appeared to be dissent. More will become clear as the RFU’s disciplinary process kicks in.

All Petersfield’s senior teams were in league action, with mixed results. The 3rd XV lost 10-0 to runaway leaders Andover III, a marked improvement on ’Field’s 42-point loss in October.

Petersfield II, having finished 2015 seven points clear of second-placed Fareham – the only side to have beaten them this season – defeated Sandown & Shanklin 22-17.

The home team had a massive weight advantage and there was little between the teams at half-time, with ’Field leading 12-10. The teams were level with six minutes left, but the ’Field forwards drove over the line for Chris Brooker to pop the ball down for his hat-trick of tries. Carl Sharrock scored the other try and Alex Groves kicked one conversion.