Petersfield U15's went top of the table after beating joint leaders Winchester today at Penn's Place 12-5. The result was even more impressive as the side were without a number of first team regulars; but ultimately showed the strength in depth of the U15 squad. They played to a fairly rigid game plan and were disciplined enough to keep to it for the whole match. In the second half they were asked to dig deep defensively and proved to be an immovable force for the Winchester attack.

Petersfield started strongly and had the better of the contest for the first five minutes of the game.  Gradually Winchester got themselves back into the game and looked like scoring on a couple of occasions but Petersfield's drift defence worked well and didn't allow the dangerous Winchester wingers any space. Finally Winchester did score in the corner (0-5). 

This setback didn't deter the home team and they came right at Winchester and came close to scoring with Peskett, only stopped by a last ditch tackle just inside the twenty-two.  Winchester cleared from the lineout but didn't make touch and Stoodley ran the ball back. A series of quick rucks and wing forward Swift created space for outside half Dryden on the half way line. He came insider the centre and then outside the fullback to outpace the wing and score under the posts (5-5). This was converted by Patterson (7-5).
Petersfield then had the upper hand for the rest of the half but were unable to alter the score. They came close on a number of occasions No 8 Martin beginning to become more and more influential in everything that was going on in both attack and defence. The half ended 7-5.

In the second half the intensity increased and it was obvious that although Winchester wanted to win this game so did Petersfield. Their defence was very aggressive and they forced Winchester into mistakes and fumbles. From a ruck the Petersfield  backline applied the defensive pressure which allowed Dryden to kick through. The bouncing balled popped up and he was away. Winchester chased and although they were able to narrow the angle he still had the speed to go over for his second try of the game (12-5). Patterson was close with the conversion. The rest of the game was all about discipline and defence. Martin and Wilson were very prominent with their tackling and drive. 

Winchester were getting desperate and beginning to continually give away penalties for the playing the ball on the ground. Each time Patterson calmly kicked long into touch and the pressure was relieved. There were a couple of nervous moments when Winchester got close to the Petersfield line; but they were unable to cross it again. The game ended with Petersfield on the attack and a thoroughly deserved 12-5 victory.

The win puts Petersfield's U15's top of Hampshire Division 1; although Havant can draw level as they have a game in hand.  Petersfield's last league game is a home match against Jersey on March 28th and a similar performance will mean that the least they can finish is joint top and it will all be down to points.   
Today there was no ‘man of the match' because the complete team contributed both individually and collectively as a unit. Every player turned in a performance that was a credit to themselves and the club.  

Team : Buchanan, Boulton (M), Cooper, Dryden, Hall, Lewis, Mackay, Martin, Lynes, Patterson, Peskett, Powel, Stoodley, Swift, Voller, Wakefield, Wilson