PETERSFIELD secured a place in the semi-finals of the Hampshire Gales HSB Plate without a shot being fired when scheduled opponents Locksheath Pumas cried off in midweek.

The Pumas, who sit mid-table in Hampshire 2, decided to pull out in order to focus on their league campaign. Having been relegated last season, the Fareham-based side have just 12 points from five matches, due in part to a points deduction.

The unexpected rest will not have pleased James Alder, Petersfield’s head coach, who no doubt wanted to build on his side’s 50-10 drubbing of Ventnor the previous week.

However, it gives ’Field’s walking wounded the chance to recuperate ahead of a tricky away fixture against Fareham this Saturday. The Heathens have a game in hand and victory could see them leapfrog Petersfield into second place in the Hampshire 1 table.

Petersfield 2nd XV were away to Millbrook II and lost 18-0 to the Southampton side on a dank and dreary day. ’Field had a good portion of territory and possession, but failed to execute cleanly enough.

No respite for ’Field twos who host leaders Havant ‘A’ this Saturday.

Petersfield U13s trounced Romsey 50-15 in their first ever cup match. Romsey ran in the first try after only two minutes at Penns Place, but ’Field were not unbeaten for nothing and immediately picked themselves up with tough scrummaging and fluent passing. They led 30-10 at half-time and brought up their half-century in the second half with a try-laden display of attacking rugby.