Colts lose unbeaten league record
28 Mar 10 Petersfield Colts 3 v 11 Guildford Colts (League)
A large crowd gathered at Penns place in the hope that Petersfield Colts would clinch the League title with still two more games remaining by overcoming second place Guildford . However it was not to be. Perhaps the pressure of the occasion got to them, but on this occasion the boys did not gel as a team.
It was clear from the start that these two sides were evenly matched, with Guildford favouring a more forward dominated approach with the fly half kicking more than passing, whilst the home side looked move the ball wide and although the majority of the first half was played in ‘Field’s half, the home side looked the more likely to score.
Jonny Pryce at full back caught very kick sent his way and counter-attacked at every opportunity. Fly half Miles Rushworth made a few half breaks and was well supported by centres “Alf” Garnett and Robert Alderman . Twice slick handling got right wing Ollie Stoodley sprinting past his opposite number, but each time the Guildford full back was able to shepherd him to the touch line and stop him, each time the support being too far away to continue the attack.
The forwards were holding Guildford’s larger pack in the scrums and winning their fair share of possession and although ‘Field opened the scoring on ten minutes with a well taken penalty by Garnett, they were not able to profit from the line breaks either due to lack of support or handling errors. They were also giving away numerous needless penalties, allowing Guildford to kick into ‘Field’s half and play the game from there.
As the game progressed, ‘Field started to find it harder to get the ball away and were starting to get caught in possession, or panicking and throwing out wild passes when a bit of patience was called for. Although Guildford ’s backs were well contained, their forwards gradually took control. They started using their rolling maul more and more, and ‘Field had no answer to this tactic. Eventually near the end of the half, Guildford were awarded a penalty from close in and converted to even the scores at 3-3.
Petersfield turned round knowing they had not made the best of their opportunities, but found themselves under more pressure in the second half from Guildford’s forwards, who, as well as using the rolling maul were now putting ‘Field’s scrum under severe pressure. Guildford ’s half-backs kicking was spot on, putting the ball into space down the right touchline time after time. Garnett’s yellow carding for not rolling away made it harder for ‘Field, but they managed to hold out except for another penalty to the away side which gave them the lead. Then following a lineout inside ‘Field’s twenty-two, a catch and drive saw the away side rumble over the line to take the score to 3-11.
‘Field gradually lifted themselves and helped by Guildford’s tight-head prop now being yellow carded for foul play, started to gain parity in the scrum with hooker Cameron Schmidt getting one against the head and Larry Anderson having another fine game at front jumper.
As the game neared the conclusion, ‘Field managed to get close twice, first when Garnett sliced through the middle and then when Stoodley again sprinted round his man. Again the support wasn’t there in time and Guildford managed to secure possession and kick the ball clear. Indeed, Guildford continued to play a very canny game, taking no risks and using their forwards to hold on to the ball and they saw out the remainder of the second half without any further score.
Although this was a disappointing result in their last home game of the season, ‘Field know the outcome of the league is still in their own hands, and victory at Trojans on 11th April and at Havant on the 18th April will secure the league title for the second consecutive year.