WE'RE THROUGH TO THE SEMI FINALS !!!!
The under 9’s team continues to develop well after our underwater experience at Alton tri training last week. We fielded a strong squad of fourteen players including Matthew Evans, Matthew Eves, Louis Elston, Thomas Land, James Barden, James Vernon-Smith, Luca Samengo-Turner, Matt Thompson, Alistair Sheldon, Jonathan Blumlein, Jonathan Radcliffe, Sam Johnson, Timothy Troth and Joseph Chads. Today saw an excellent and maturing team of players with improving ball skills, aggression, better understanding of the game and a determination to win. Everyone should be very proud of today’s achievement. Remember we didn't win a game last year!
Come on February, let’s lift some silverware!!!
Today’s tournament fixture was a 3 game event and we were meeting new teams never before played. Our strength and determination from the Festival was a good grounding for what we hoped would be a successful outing towards semi final glory. Even the weather held out for us.
Petersfield – Uckfield
A good first draw against Uckfield who seemed to have been in growbags and probably the tallest team we have played so far this year.An even first few minutes we had great driving into touch by Sam Johnson and Tim Troth. These saving more than one try against us in the first half. We gained confidence later in the game to score in the corner after a great run down the touchline by Thomas Land. Clear space gave James Vernon-Smith the opportunity to stretch his long legs and gain good ground.
Uckfield gained momentum into the second half and were almost home. Herculean efforts by the forwards including Matt Thompson and James Barden with a massive hit by Alistair Sheldon saved the game. Petersfield coming out with a clean sheet and a try.
Petersfield – Reeds
Reeds were runners up last year and clearly a well drilled side.Petersfield started with a few changes to spice things up a bit and this clearly worked well with 2/3 great touchline runs from Matthew Evans in the opening few minutes. Reed opened up some space and despite formidable defence by Matt Eves, Jonathon Radcliffe and Joseph Chads they sneaked a try into the corner for a head start going into half time.
In the second half, Petersfield showed renewed determination to get to the next stage. With steeley focus from the whole team, Alistair Sheldon, after a fantastic drive by Matt Thompson, James Barden and Tim Troth, ripped the ball land ran 20m try into the corner and pull the score level. Fantastic!!
An awesome display of resolve after going behind and probably the best defensive display of the year by the whole team.
Despite some good rugby by Reeds and much of the possession Petersfield Defence led by Matt Eves and supported by Luca Samengo-Turner, Thomas Land and Sam Johnson was solid. The new result a great Draw!!
Petersfield – Sutton & Epsom
With some confidence and no losses so far Petersfield were determined to make this an emphatic day for inclusion into the semi-finals.It was clear this was a win-in-waiting with awesome driving from Tim Troth, Alistair Sheldon, James Barden and Matt Thompson in the opening minutes saw us only 10m from the try-line. Great loose play and brilliant defending was rewarded with a great try in the corner by Alistair Sheldon. We were rewarded with more possession after massive driving from Matt Thompson, Johnathan Blumlein and Alistair Sheldon, a fantastic rip from Sam Johnson followed up the drive and with consistent running in the three-quarters from, Louis Elston and Luca Samengo-Turner keeping Sutton and Epsom on the back foot.
Early in the second half with even more pressure from the forward pack and after a quick scrum the ball was offloaded quickly by Alistair Sheldon and Thomas Land planted the first try of the session with barely a minute gone.Much of the same confidence ensued with another blinding touchline run by Matthew Evans left him denied with only 8m for another try.
Forward play was fantastic with drives all over the pitch, touchline drives to gain possession and awesome defending by Sam Johnson, Matt Eves and Jonathan Radcliffe to keep Sutton & Epsom in their own half for the majority of the game.
