With Storm Darragh causing cancellation of public events and sports matches across the country, Petersfield made a difficult journey to Newbury’s Monks Lane ground, negotiating road closures and storm debris. At the ground, more than 150 home supporters and guests were assembled for a Christmas Lunch.

That the weather dampened and blew away any celebratory post-lunch atmosphere would deny the hosts their pleasure in securing a victory in a fixture which they admitted they had considered more in hope than expectation. However, their team would be encouraged by the previous week’s last-gasp, narrow victory in a low-scoring game at North Dorset.

Petersfield kicked off with the storm at their backs and were quickly into Newbury’s half, where they spent much of the first five minutes. Awarded a penalty on the 22, fly-half Nick Blumlein skilfully slotted the ball over the bar and through the posts with the help of the following wind. 0-3

Newbury were next to score an unconverted try in the left corner after a series of scrums and penalty lineouts in Petersfield’s half. From an untidy lineout, Newbury powered through the five-metre channel to touch down. 5-3

At the end of the first quarter, a penalty for Petersfield—who had shown some scrummaging superiority—was used to scrum. Winning the ball, they passed across the face of the opposition’s defence. In a series of rucks, Field failed to advance until prop Dan Sargent clutched the ball, battered his way past three defenders with his support on his shoulders, and dived over the line, only to be adjudged held up.

From the Newbury drop-out into the wind, the hosts made 50 metres, with James Blumlein catching and advancing into Newbury’s 10-metre area. Several inconclusive mauls resulted in a Newbury scrum, which they bravely kicked back into the centre of Petersfield’s half. Full-back Will Mathews caught and kicked a return with interest.

Newbury, adapting to the conditions, took the ball back to Petersfield with short passes and jinking runs before losing possession. Petersfield knocked on 10 metres out from their try line, and from the resulting scrum, Newbury burrowed over for an unconverted try. 10-3

With seven minutes of the half remaining, Newbury got the better of Petersfield in the scrum and shunted the visitors back some four metres before releasing the ball. Through skilful short-range passes and penetrating angled runs, Newbury worked into the wind to score a converted try to the right of the posts. 17-3

From a dominant scrum in the first quarter, the tables were turned as Newbury’s pack, on their put-in, shunted Petersfield all over the park. If Petersfield had decided to not compete in order for their back row to be quicker to a tackle or breakdown, this tactic did them no favours.

Petersfield held out to the end of the half, keeping the score at 17-3. In the later stages of the half, Will Mathews was replaced by Joe Knowles, who moved to full-back, with Alex Duffus replacing him at scrum-half.

If the limited number of Petersfield’s travelling supporters were optimistic about a reversal of fortunes in the second half, they may not have considered the deteriorating weather conditions into which Petersfield would now be playing.

As it transpired, Petersfield adjusted their tactics and their team by moving Harley Orr to hooker, bringing on Ryan Wilkie at loosehead, and Liam Perkins at number eight. This resulted in tighter play within the forwards and less open play in the backs. A series of controlled rucks close to the try line sucked in the Newbury defence, allowing Duffus to pass to his right. Blumlein shot a pass to the left wing, where Joe Knowles was on hand to dot down for an unconverted try. 17-8

Newbury were awarded a penalty in front of the posts outside Petersfield’s 22, where their excellent left-footed kicker calmly converted. 20-8

With 15 minutes to play, Petersfield’s tighter attack found Liam Perkins picking up from the base of a scrappy ruck to step through two tackles and, on an angled run, cross the whitewash. Blumlein added the extras. 20-15

Petersfield must have thought that a turn in fortunes was possible; however, they were unable to make significant inroads into the hosts’ 22 and found themselves defending their own. There were a couple of instances of players facing up to their opponents, and after one such instance, Petersfield’s Miles Sampson was yellow-carded with just eight minutes of normal time remaining. Newbury now threw everything at their visitors and were eventually rewarded with a successfully kicked penalty. 23-15

Petersfield did not capitulate and, for the last several minutes, played all their rugby in the hosts’ half, most of it inside their 22 on the right wing, keeping the ball infield. There was an audible sigh of relief from the home support when the final whistle blew without Petersfield scoring.

Squad: Harley Orr, Nic Wilde, Dan Sargent, Oli Hunt, Franco Tomic, Jack Janaway, Karter Whittock, Matt Momber, Joe Knowles, Nick Blumlein, Miles Sampson, Greg Jansen, Toby Colwood, Ethan Horsfall, Will Mathews, Ryan Wilkie, Liam Perkins, Alex Duffus.

There were some fascinating results in Regional 2 South Central this weekend. Farnham maintained their impressive form with a 33-11 victory over Chobham to stay at the summit of the table. Bournemouth pulled off a convincing 60-5 win against Andover, keeping themselves in contention near the top. Wimborne managed a thrilling 31-41 win away at Guildford, boosting their hopes of climbing the table, whilst Winchester continued their dominance with a 49-14 dismantling of Chichester, solidifying their position among the league's elite.

Regional 2 South Central Table After GW11

Both Petersfield 1st XV and 2nd XV are on the road this weekend, playing Tottonians and Havant III in their respective leagues. The 1st XV will be eager to right their wrongs following a nail biting 26-30 loss to the new forest outfit back in September. The 2nd XV will also be hungry for a result following their Storm Darragh induced break from competitive rugby.