MATCH REPORT: HAMPSHIRE U15 DIVISION 1
HAVANT 10 - PETERSFIELD 5
Petersfield U15’s lost their first competitive game for 18 months when they were beaten in Sunday’s keenly contested league game by 10 points to 5, at Hooks Lane. The game was a close run affair and if some of the refereeing decisions had gone too Petersfield’s it could have been a different story. Although, to be honest that would not have been fair as Havant deserved their victory. Havant were able to expose weaknesses and constantly take advantage of them. It is how the U15’s react to this loss which will effectively define their season. The coaching staff are confident that the boys will accept what has happened and work hard in training and in the games coming up to put things right. The season has only really just begun and maybe the U15’s needed this type of game/result to allow them to focus on what needs to be done and the improvements required.
Petersfield took the lead when Patterson ran on to catch a chip through and score, but in difficult conditions he was unable to convert (0 – 5). Havant then began to take control and after a period of continuous pressure were reward with a converted try (7 – 5) at the end of the first half. When the second half started it was all still to play for; but it was Havant who took the initiative taking the game to Petersfield. The only points of the second half came by the way of a penalty which Havant converted (10 – 5). The team (1 to 15) defended stoutly and their tackling was resolute thwarting Havant on numerous occasions. The back row all played well but Voller’s performance stood out as he was a constant thorn to Havant by continually getting his hands on the ball and slowing it down.
Peterfield also had their chances in the second half and Lynes was unlucky to lose control when grounding the ball after a superb run. Martin also when he was adjudged off side after he had tackled the Havant centre, stayed on his feet, ripped the ball free and was in under the posts. All text book stuff but the referee didn’t see it that way and penalised him.
It was a tough game that Havant ultimately deserved to win (10 – 5) by their ability to control the game and dictate the pattern of play.
The if’s and but’s don’t change the score line but hard work over the next few weeks will ensure that the U15’s bounce back from this defeat positively.
Team : Armour, Buchanan, Cooper, Dryden, Hall, Mackay, Maginnis, Martin, Muckelt, Lynes, Patterson, Peskett, Robinson, Stoodley, Swift, Voller, Wakefield, Wilson, Wood
Steve Dryden
1st November 2009
