Best performance of the season!
31 Oct 09 Holbrook 8 v 76 Petersfield 1st XV
This was a much-changed Petersfield team that travelled to Horsham on Saturday to face Holbrook from Sussex One in the second round of the National Junior Vase. ‘Field have not enjoyed good campaigns in the tourney in past seasons and with only seven players remaining from the previous Saturday, there was an opportunity for others to stake a claim for places in an increasingly competitive squad.
And to the pleasure of the coaching team, most took advantage of this chance and head coach Tony Barnes was delighted with the players’ response to the very poor performance the previous week. Colt Will Marks distinguished himself with a calm, assured performance at fly half, distributing well to bring out the best out of the players around him
The forwards gave a very solid platform, particularly in scrums and in the loose, with back row Gareth Nicholls, Gareth Crane, Ian Palmer, and later Rob Litchfield all doing well. Mike Williams had a first game back from injury and celebrated with a good try.
What did give a very positive aspect was the penalty count, which, after a few indiscretions in the first quarter, was lowest this season and the team's discipline was praised by (a very good) Sussex referee. The backs were their consistent selves throughout, first Charlie Hoff (making a happy return to senior colours) and then Bruce Shields, giving Marks great support from inside centre, the midfield holding the opposition backs well to allow the outside backs to cut great angles off of them. The score was 33-3 at half time (tries, Barnes 2, Eldridge 2, Saunders, plus Barnes 4 conversions) after a surprisingly even first half. The forwards warmed to their task and combined well as a unit, Matt Hartwig showing second row is his metier, despite having to come off at half time with a shoulder injury. Holbrook are not a bad if currently out of rhythm and the big difference in the teams was Petersfield’s ability to develop quickly good running lines from the backs to take their scoring opportunities. Palmer, as ever, proved to be a winning captain and is quietly proving a good motivator, leading from the front, as usual and scoring a good try. The Moment of the match, all agreed after, was veteran full back Derek Eldridge's stunning clearance kick with his 'wrong foot', picking out an opposing player only three yards away who was so shocked that he dropped the ball.
The score ran out to 76-8 at full time, as the forwards’ strength overpowered brave opponents in the second half.
Total tries; Andy Barnes (4), Derek Eldridge (2), George Saunders (2), Ian Palmer, James Martin, Gareth Nicholls and Mike Williams, with an unstoppable charge, plus eight conversions by Andy Barnes.
Coach Barnes was very happy, firstly for the positive result and secondly for a good hard run-out for his team before next weekend’s tricky journey to New Milton in the Red-n-White’s next league fixture. He said in his usual measured way “For the first time in some months, we’re lucky”…. he paused “is that the word?” he enquired, “….lucky to have the coaches best problem, with tough selection decisions to be made in almost all positions.” With players returning from injury and non-availability for other reasons, Barnes and White are able to pick a team without having to move players out of position, for the first time in perhaps two seasons. He went on “Holbrook are a competitive side and this was our best effort for several weeks. We’re pleased with most aspects of our game. But, we will need to step up another level at New Milton next week, as they are the form team in our league at present, and we will go there as underdogs.”
Very true, New Milton are the dark horse in Hampshire One and together with Eastleigh, are led by ‘Field by dint of the latter having played one game more. These two provide opposition to the Red-n-Whites for the next two weeks. Petersfield’s next home game is on 14th November at home against Eastleigh. Victory at New Milton would be a great step forward. It is a difficult, wet pitch and the New Forest team seem to be able to attract a different set of players at home, with a stunningly good record on their own patch. In two weeks time, then, Petersfield will know if this year’s league campaign is going to rocket to new peaks, or to be a flat squib.
