Field grind out the win
03 Oct 09 Petersfield 2s 20 v 17 Horsham 2s
Petersfield hosted Horsham’s second team for what was predominantly a development game for the home side. Field Twos started with a similar side to the previous week, with the addition of a handful of first team players. The game started with Petersfield on the back foot, struggling to hold the well-oiled Horsham attack.
Petersfield soon found their feet and began to fight back, with a lot of the game being played in the opposition half. As the pressure mounted, Horsham struggled with a clearance, dropping the ball behind their line and Andy Barnes leapt like a salmon onto the ball for the first try.
Horsham dominated the rest of the half, but with the ‘Field pack, led by Tom Ball, holding their own, the visitors were unable to penetrate the line. Petersfield conceded a vast amount of penalties, though, one of which within range for the Horsham kicker to slot the three points.
Going into the second half it was 5-3 to Petersfield, and aside from a few loose bits of play, the game remained in the same hands. A great solo try from Number Eight, Mark Turner, increased the deficit, but as soon as the away side kicked off they managed to score, making sure the game was not over.
After a lot of back and forth rugby, fly half Rhys Purchase executed a delicate chip over the defence and with a solid chase was able to touch down under the posts, also slotting the conversion. Despite this, Horsham once again came back with force, proving their fitness as they played Field around the park, opening the defence and strolling over for their second try, with their kicker, again, adding the extras.
The game was wrapped up when the ref awarded a penalty to Petersfield within range of Purchase, who confidently slotted the kick to put Field in the lead. Six minutes of mainly Field possession saw out the remainder of the game, as Field second team increase their run to three straight wins.
The Petersfield second string had been avidly watched by the coaching team and they were not disppopinted. Head coach Tony Barnes was very pleased with the fixture “In Horsham, we got exactly what we wanted, a tough, close development game” he said afterwards. “Coupled with the league game last week, it’s given most of our squad a chance to state their case for a first team. We certainly have more options than we had at this time last season, so it's important that we give everyone an opportunity.”
In the sake of continuity, it’s unlikely there’ll be drastic changes immediately, but the coaches have plenty to think about. One thing is clear, no player has a right to a place in the Penns Place teams, selction has to be gained on current form. Barnes was unequivocal on this “We’re looking forward to more good performances from our teams next Saturday so that the competition for places intensifies still further.” he said and this can only be good for playing standards at Petersfield.
