Petersfield regained the league leadership from Alton, possibly until their own turn comes to have a lay Saturday on March 27, by inflicting a comprehensive 41-5 defeat on Eastleigh at Bishopstoke. 

Once the visitors had gained a measure of control over the Eastleigh pack as the game entered the second quarter, there was really only likely to be one result, such was the superiority of the Petersfield backs over their somewhat pedestrian opposite numbers. 

Petersfield again showed their dominance and improved discipline in their clash with third placed Eastleigh at Bishopstoke on Saturday. It was obvious from the kick off that Eastleigh felt they had something to prove and that playing the Eastleigh style of aggressive physical forward play would soon intimidate ’Field in to making tactical mistakes or giving away penalties. For the first ten minutes Petersfield absorbed the pressure, snuffing out any attack by forcing errors or crunching tackles, but rarely encroaching on Eastleigh's twenty-two. 

A break by Andy Barnes set up the position from which he deservedly opened the scoring after sixteen minutes, while James Flett showed his class by ghosting through for the second score eleven minutes later. (He also completed the scoring near the end in similar style). As the half progressed and the score advanced this Railway Town players and supporters became increasingly verbal with a vocabulary more like Billingsgate Porters than Railway Porters, sufficient for the visiting referee Peter Holden from the Gloucestershire society, to ask them to tone it down. Petersfield’s own discipline was rewarded by not conceding a penalty in the half. 

Barnes kicked the first two tries’ conversions and slotted a penalty for the deserved 17-0 half-time lead. 

The second half was a rerun of the first with Eastleigh in ‘Field’s face from the kick off and within five minutes a failed Petersfield clearance kick gave the home side possession. For once, rather than batter their way through, they moved between the wings and at last their big centres Gresley and Mallard found the away line with a simple pop pass as Petersfield were left with their props defending the corner. Only tenacious defending by the whole ‘Field XV prevented them adding a second. 

Two further tries from Field settled their nerves; one while back row Crane took his deserved ten-minute enforced rest. The visitors went still further ahead in the flanker’s absence with an interception try from Ben Winter and proceeded to add another Barnes penalty and a try by Matt Doe before Flett’s second score, while Barnes maintained his hundred per cent record with conversions. 

Petersfield again showed their skill at playing fifteen-man rugby with every player and replacement getting in on the act. It was a credit to the coaching and to the players for implementing this entertaining style of play. Alton might feel relieved that they do not have to face Petersfield again this season. 

From the touchline at full time a truly neutral observer commented that the game was one of the best Hampshire one games he had seen, praise in deed from one that is a keen critic of rugby at all levels in Hampshire. It was a pleasure to see the President of top of the table Alton on the touchline. As his club had no fixture he came to see some entertaining and skilful rugby played by Alton's closest rival. 

Petersfield must now rally and face two 1st XV games at the weekend. Firstly, on Saturday, ‘Field travel to Aldershot & Fleet to play a re-arranged fixture. While their hosts lie at the bottom of the table, the home team will want to perform a damage limitation exercise and they have, of recent games, been seen to be racking up some good scores, succumbing 39 –25 in a high scoring game to Farnborough two weeks ago, but beating New Milton in January. Petersfield will want to keep the momentum going, for home advantage in any play-off game is decided by league performance. 

Then on Sunday, arguably Petersfield’s toughest game so far this season, when they entertain Sandown & Shanklin, (enjoying a good season in London Three) at Penns Place in the semi-final of the Hampshire Bowl. Coach Barnes has a dilemma here. He will want to ensure that Petersfield keep up the improving playing record in the league for that play-off advantage, but the club cannot really afford not to put out a strong competitive XV to contest the knockout trophy. The lure of a good bit of silverware is always an attraction. So a big home crowd will, it is hoped, turn out on Sunday afternoon as Sandown are renowned for their travelling support. The Sunday game kicks off at 2.30 p.m.