Welcome to Petersfield RFC's new article series, giving all members an insight into how our youth section fared over the weekend! With a helping hand from the coaches, this series will include match reports from our youth teams and comments from our minis section. We hope you enjoy!

With no senior rugby on over the weekend, all eyes were on our Youth and Minis sides, who had a busy weekend both at Penns Place and on the road!

At Penns Place, our Under 16s 2nd XV started their Hampshire Division 4 campaign strong with a 22-17 win over a tough US Alton side. If you're confused by the name, US Alton includes a mix of players from US Portsmouth and Alton RFC—a partnership developed in the past couple of years into what was a very competitive team on the weekend. Under 16s coach Stuie Mercer writes in the match report below:

The game kicked off with both teams looking to dominate and establish themselves in the first five minutes. However, as the clock hit the 18-minute mark, it was turning into a very well-matched game. Jacob W carried the momentum of a strong pick-and-go over the whitewash to score the first try of the game, converted by Joe P.

US Alton needed to respond quickly. A deep kick-off knocked on by Peef gave USA scrum time just outside the 22. A solid set-piece to work from, and a No.8 pick-up from the back, gained good yards, moving through phases and over for their first points, but no conversion.

With 10 minutes of the first half remaining, both teams were not giving an inch. Turnovers at breakdowns, great tackling, and strong defence slowed the game, until US Alton broke the line on Peef's 22, going through two phases to score their second try, with the conversion taking the game to half time. Score: 7-12.

The second half saw both squads making early substitutions, keeping the pressure on.

With both teams defending hard, a penalty to Petersfield just inside US Alton’s 22 gave loosehead Ed P the opportunity to take a quick tap-and-go at full speed to crash over the try line. With an unsuccessful conversion attempt, the scores were level at 12-12.

Petersfield then started to put together their game management, turning over two scrums against the head. From a pick-and-go and securing their ruck, a quick ball from scrum-half Woody M saw Charlie F take it at pace, straighten up, and outpace two defenders to dive over. No conversion added. Score: 17-12.

With momentum in their sails, another strong Peef scrum and quick ball saw the forwards’ pods carry and secure a clean platform for quick ball to Elliott H. An injection of pace and a dummy pass saw him over the whitewash. No conversion. Score: 22-12.

With the win in sight and four minutes to go, a strong exit kick by US Alton saw the ball bobble in Peef’s third of the pitch. Attacking pressure and good turnover work saw the visitors' No.8 plough through two tackles to score a well-deserved third try. No conversion. Final score: 22-17.

All in all, a great game of rugby played in the true spirit of the game.

Now we look ahead to next weekend and prepare for Romsey at home, and Havant away.

Up the A287, our Under 15s fought hard against a well-drilled Farnham side, ultimately losing 24-12 in a very tight display. The result leaves them fifth in Hampshire Division 1, and they'll have to wait until the 24th of November to bounce back, where they face 4th-placed Winchester at Penns Place! No match report from the Under 15s this weekend, but there will be plenty as this series of articles continues to develop!

Our Minis section had a very busy day on the road, with the Under 11s and Under 9s taking teams to both the Alton Festival and Chichester Festival, and our Under 10s, Under 8s, and Under 7s all heading down to Chichester in what looked like a fantastic tournament!

Under 11s coach Jim Elgar wrote a few words on their busy day in Alton and Chichester:

The U11s sent one team to both the Alton and Chichester festivals. With another new batch of laws to get to grips with, including the introduction of kicking! Both teams did us proud. Some really tough matches, but strong performances across the board. We look forward to growing again this season with another split at two more festivals next week.

Our Under 8s coach Rachel Peel also had some fantastic words to say:

The Under 8s had a brilliant time at Chichester Festival. Great effort from all the players, and everyone went home tired but happy!

As for the first bit of match action from our Under 7s this season, their coach Ben Salvetti-Langton wrote:

The Under 7’s had an amazing day at the Chichester festival with two really strong team performances! I think over the two teams and 10 games, we were close to scoring 100 tries!

Massive smiling faces from all 14 players that attended, very tired and dirty but happy players (and coaches). Lots of success and fun.

Once again, a huge thank you to Chichester and Alton for hosting our Minis sides over the weekend. We look forward to returning the favour later in the season! It's great to see so many of our teams in action, especially as our younger players are picking up the sport so quickly and enjoying themselves at the same time!

Stay tuned for next week’s updates as we follow more exciting rugby action from across the club!

Up the Rams!