We reach Plate Semifinals
14 Mar 10 Hampshire Cup Petersfield 0 v 0 Andover,Alton,NewMilton,Fareham & Gosport,US Pompey,Romsey
What a Fantastic Performance in the Hampshire Cup
Petersfield were fired up and ready on a glorious Sunday at Basingstoke RFC for the annual Hampshire Tournament. A day’s tactical prep at Penns Place on Saturday reviewing the previous Curtain Raiser outing was clearly beneficial during the days games.
The Ruck is formed again and again and again.......
Andover 2 Petersfield 1
Our first match was against a very awake and prepared Andover team who ran in two tries in the first 2 minutes due to a couple of missed tackles. We endured a good battle for the reminder of the half with 3-4 crushing tackles in quick succession by Tom Land keeping out the Andover runners. An excellent drive gaining 10m from Andover enabled Alastair Sheldon to take a sweet offload by Matt Evans and gain 20m. In the second half Matt Evans provided great ball from the scrum to create some good running opportunities. Matt Thompson led driving mauls and rucks with support from James Vernon-Smith and Tim Troth, the best we have seen from the U9’s this year with the best unceremonious dumping tackle by Thompson seen for some time. One single 15M ruck and drive gave Matt Evans a great 30m dash for the line and a great try to chase the score. Petersfield’s work rate was impressive and they were unlucky with the final score. Jonhathan Blumlein’s first class tackle near the try line saved another score against the team. Great defensive support from Archie Gibbons and Ben RV on the wings
Alton 1 Petersfield 2
Our second game against rivals Alton was a good place to settle score. A revised team saw great backs play with consistent spinning out to the wing. Alastair Sheldon made a dash for the line down the wing created a good gap and offloaded to Henry Dodds and then Joseph Chads who was denied 8m out. Both wingers saw the ball repeatedly as the backs sought to take advantage of the gaps in Alton’s defence. Alton scored an easy try whilst Petersfield were napping. Some awesome tackling by Joesph Chads and Matt Eves kept Alton at 1 try and Tom land opened the points for Petersfield. The defence was held firm by Jonathan Blumelin. The second half forwards dominated the game with great drives from the front row partnership of James Barden, Tim Troth and James Vernon-Smith creating a turnover ball which Henry Dodds exploited with a blinding run through the Alton defence. The subsequent maul went into touch. Petersfield converted this lineout and spun the ball out to the wing, Tom Land in support got it over the line for a second try. Subsequent tighter defending denied 3 further tantalisingly close runs in. Final score 2-1 to Petersfield.
New Milton 4 Petersfield 0
New Milton were quick off the mark with a try in the first minute. Petersfield were napping in the corner and missed a couple of tackling opportunities which were quickly converted a second time in the first half. Despite this early setback Petersfield rose to the challenge and tightened up the defence with good support from Ben RV and Archie Gibbons. Matt Thompson, James Barden and James Vernon-Smith carried the rucking and mauling forwards giving Matt Evans room to run in some ball. A turned over ruck gave New Milton another easy chance to score from halfway early in the second half, again a few missed tackles contributing to the scoreline. Petersfields rucking forwards Thompson, Barden and Vernon-Smith continued to improve creating 2 opportunities from 5m out with valiant support from Tom Land and Matt Evans. New Milton’s solid defence denied a score. Henry Dodds and Matt Eves defended diligently to deny any further tries.
Fareham and Gosport 1 Petersfield 2
The final game of our qualifiers was against F & G. The first 30 seconds from an outstanding maul led by Matt Thompson with support from James Barden and Tim Troth created a great scoring opportunity for Alastair Sheldon, using his speed and power to put one in the corner. A great start!. Matt Thompson and Tim Troth partnered for a big hit against the F & G forwards with a one-two passing sequence to gain ground. Matt Evans picked up a mid field ball from a nice driving maul to run in a tasty 20m try. F & G managed to run a ball to the corner flag but solid defence by Henry Dodds denied the try as the player dropped the ball under pressure. A handy lineout saw Archie Gibbons, Alastair Sheldon and Jonathon Blumlein complete a 5 pass 40m move out eventually out to supporting winger Joseph Chads who was 5m short. Chads again provided fantastic support with two huge tackles on a giant of a boy resulting in a bloody nose and dazed look!. The try attempt was denied and Chads soon recovered his boyish good looks. A further huge rucking game followed with Matt Thompson limping off injured from the base of a 10 man pile up. In the dying minutes Jonathan Blumlein made a dash for glory down touch but ran out of grass. A good result.
US Portsmouth 2 Petersfield 4
Our quarter final Plate match against US Portsmouth got off to a great start with an early attack by USP thwarted by a crunching tackle into touch by Tom Land. Tom clearly had focus as he repeated this with another eye watering tackle on a USP break from inside. USP persisted and scored an easy try to get the ball rolling. Petersfield responded well with a great post scrum effort creating opportunities with good handling in the backs by Matt Eves and Ben RV. Another outstanding rucking forwards game by Matt Thompson with support from Matt Eves and Tim Troth gained 20m to give James Barden room to slink his way to a try to level the score at halftime. The second half was explosive with a blistering early run by Alastair Sheldon held up on the line. Tom Land was fired up by this and scored a quick try diving from what appeared to be just past the halfway line to take the lead. Petersfield defended well with great tackling by Ben RV and Joseph Chads. JOathan Blumlein and Joseph Chdas made life difficult for USP on the fringes with some good running on the touchline. Henry Dodds worked magic creating a great opportunity for Alastair Sheldon who offloaded to Tom Land touching down in the corner. Some further great rucking by Matt Thompson and his forwards James Vernon-Smith and James Barden saw Petersfield 10m out yet again. Alastair Sheldon took the opportunity to convert this for a 4 try win and into the Plate Semi finals.
In with the shoulder, protect the ball, support is coming...Go, Go Go..
Romsey 4 Petersfield 1
Petersfield made a promising start with a powerful pack including Archie Gibbons relishing a go at hooker and support from James Vernon-Smith and Tim Troth. Romsey took advantage of a careless pass and with a good ball from the scrum scored in the corner. A second easy score with little resistance from a very tired Petersfield team saw then two tried ahead in the first few minutes. Alastair Sheldon took a good run through the centre but lost possession with a knock on. Petersfield continued to grind the Romsey team and were within 5m from some good mauling but were denied a score. In the second half Joseph Chads was denied a metre out with the ball going backwards and forwards between the teams Romsey ran in an easy try from a penalty. Tom Land continued to tackle well and prevented a further score. A 15 pass, yes 15 pass sequence saw Petersfield from one end of the pitch to the other and from one side to the other in a dazzling exhibition style display of skill and effort led by Jonathan Blumlein and Joseph Chads. Matt Evans and Matt Eves provided solid support in the centre and Ben RV saw more than one opportunity to get across the line. Petersfield scored a great try in the corner from a sneaky but powerful run through by Henry Dodds. A very tired Petersfield team denied a place in the final.
This was probably the best display of contact rugby played by this young U9’s team with full contributions from a sturdy and strong rucking and mauling pack winning great ball for the backs to spin out to eager wingers. Yes spinning the ball out!! A very well disciplined and focussed team display showing great potential, well done boys.
It's also worth noting that the team were on their best behaviour and this was reflected in the quality of rugby.
Phil might even buy you all another ice cream when he has saved up enough.