Demolition!
26 Sep 09 Petersfield 1st XV 83 v 6 Aldershot & Fleet
Petersfield put aside the disappointment of last weekend with a drilled and competent demolition of bottom placed Aldershot & Fleet, but did it in such a manner as to reinforce the positive style of play their coaches have been seeking to achieve. This proficient performance moves the Penns Place team to third in the league, behind Alton and Romsey.
It would have been easy to cruise through this fixture and take the foot off the gas, but, bar five minutes either side of half-time, ‘Field kept to their game plan meticulously. They controlled the set pieces ruthlessly, cleared rucks positively, drove from mauls and when they moved the ball into space, made sure they always had support players within reach to ensure continuity. Sure, there were elements that didn’t go completely to plan, but there was no self-indulgence, all the players working for each other.
Proof of the pudding was winger Will Dunglinson’s five fine tries. He ran these in from deeper and deeper as the game wore on and nothing Aldershot could do contained the youngster. When they did throw their defensive net wide to shut down the wings, they left great holes in the centre which ‘Field centres poured through at will, the home pack in close support. The result was a hat-trick for Barnes and a deuce for Flett.
They were helped, it has to be said, by the positive interpretation of the laws by Warwickshire referee Paul Cassidy. It is true Rugby is a different game in the Midlands, players being allowed to contest far more on the ground, whilst being properly stung for going off their feet. For all that ‘Field’s pack seem to have learnt this week to stay grounded at rucks and gained much good ball. In this Butcher was exceptional, repeatedly gaining possession from a puzzled opposition scrum. It is to be hoped that an official of Mr. Cassidy’s mettle visits Penns Place in mid-December.
So behind this hard-working pack, James Martin had a field day at scrum half, harassing the enemy back row, always forcing their defence backwards and the stream of positive possession he provided gave Flett ample time to switch with his backrow and centres, giving ‘Field with all sorts of options.
A great French player once likened Rugby to using a piano. The forwards move the piano and the backs play it, which is exactly what Petersfield achieved on Saturday. The pack toiled ceaselessly like Pickfords in the heat and the backs played like Chopin. Perhaps the best bit was the defensive display. Aldershot rarely got threatened the home line and their scores were one penalty in each half, well taken by Bolt, but both outside ‘Field’s twenty-two, such was the solidity of the tackle line.
Petersfield’s other scores were a well-deserved try for skipper Ian Palmer, outstanding and leading from the front and to the delight of all, debut tries for winger Nick Lewis and for colts prop Tom Belcher, both of whom came on as replacements. Barnes almost inevitably added nine conversions.
But one word of caution from Director of Rugby Steve Penberthy. He points out that this was a good performance on Penns Place’s wide-open spaces, but, as he says, it’s still a long way to go. “We’ve done well in the sun today,” he said afterwards “but we’ve got to go through the dark autumn evenings and winter weather on some cramped grounds and then prove ourselves against good teams like Romsey and Alton. One step at a time, steady as she goes.”
Head coach Tony Barnes was equally as measured. “This was a positive response to loss at Alton previous week. We’re obviously satisfied that we were clinical enough to take advantage and run up a big score, but can't take too much from the game” when asked for his comments.
“What is pleasing is the developing depth of players, because we had to make a number of enforced changes through unavailability. James Martin came in for the first time this season as showed his worth and Simon Godber did well stepping up to the mark at short notice. We’re also very happy with new faces Nick Lewis and Gareth Nicholls, in for first time this season. We must also thank the brave Aldershot & Fleet team who competed well in most phases and made 'Field work on hard in match situation”
The Ones have a rest weekend coming and the club is boosted by fine victories for the Twos and Threes in their respective Merit Table games. The 1st XV travel to Farnborough on 10th October, before entertaining Romsey at home on 17th October, it what will be a cracker of a game.
