3 out of 3 in the league...
22 Nov 09 Petersfield 34 v 17 US Portsmouth
A torrential downpour with hail stones had preceded the kick-off. Field made most of the wind in their favour to create an unassailable first half lead. USP were first to attack and placed the Field defence under pressure. Good defensive work by Field turned this around and they finally broke through with excellent precision passing through the backs releasing Seb Tuff to score, 5-0. From the restart Seamus Harrison caught the ball and jinked through a static defence to score under the posts. The extras added by Zach Hoffman, 12-0. USP came back at Field putting together several good phases gaining ground deep into Field territory. A loose pass by USP was intercepted and Field attacked down the left wing releasing Joe Shellard to score, 17-0. USP again came back with Field failing to make effective tackling. However, USP were unable to exploit this and eventually Field regained possession and forged downfield to pressurise their opponents. USP remained far more effective at the breakdown than Field and as a result possession often changed hands in USP’s favour. USP’s kicking game often surrendered possession back to their hosts. Field gained possession in the centre and with deft handling moved the ball to the left wing for Tuff to cross for his second try of the match, 22-0. Half time.
With the wind now in their favour the second period was edged by a more determined USP side. Field to their credit did not get the run of the green from either their play or some marginal decisions. This gave USP a renewed belief and vigour which the Field forwards failed to match.
Field’s Frazier Patience made several decisive breaks through the USP defence and supplied good ball for his backs. Robbins also had a solid game at scrum spoiling USP attacking opportunities. However, Field’s forwards appeared somewhat lethargic throughout a second half playing into the wind and the resurgence of USP. From one of Patience’s breaks he drew the defender and offloaded to Sydenham to score, converted by Hoffman, 29-0. USP camped in the Field twenty-two and the pressure was rewarded with a try following a 5m scrum, 29-5. Field responded immediately with a kick deep into the USP twenty-two which resulted in Field gaining possession and Ollie Bevan going over for another score, 34-5. Again USP came back again, and with their forwards dominating pushed over with a driving maul to score, 34-12. Field were looking weary as the match drew to a close. USP scored a third try following a scrum in the Field twenty-two, 34-17.
