On a day which provided perfect playing conditions, this clash between local rivals Alton and Petersfield was eagerly anticipated by the large crowd. The pattern of the game was ebb and flow as the teams wrestled for control of the ball and territory. The forward battle was intense throughout and in the end it was Alton’s stronger defence and more creative back play which made the difference.
Alton started well with a series of probing kicks from fly half Joe Gwyther and good chasing from the centres ensured that the home team maintained pressure on the visitors. Following such a kick and chase, the ball was turned over and quickly recycled enabling centre Josh Smith to break the defensive line and off load to full back Ed Simmons who broke another tackle to streak away and score under the posts. The conversion was added then it was Petersfield’s turn to build some momentum with good individual runs. The pressure built on the Alton defence who infringed at the ruck in front of their posts. The three points were slotted by Petersfield’s excellent scrum half, the score now 7-3.
In the second quarter the home side worked hard to stretch the opposition’s defence and after great linking play from the back row, blindside Joe Randall crashed over in the corner for his first try of the season. A superb touchline conversion by Joe Gwyther produced a half time score of 14-3.
As the second half got underway both sides increased the intensity, Alton continued to dominate the scrum and started to get the edge at the line out. But in the loose, Petersfield’s pack used their size and good technique to gain vital forward momentum in the ruck and maul. The referee penalized Alton repeatedly for infringements at the breakdown and ‘Field started to control territory. Another penalty to ‘Field and this time within range of the posts – 3 points were slotted and the impetus now seemed to be with the visitors.  From the restart however, Alton’s left wing, Charlie Rands, ripped the ball from a maul on the left flank and ran in unopposed to the delight of the home support. The score now 19-6, had Alton built an unassailable lead? Were ‘Field finally out for the count?
Not a bit of it! Petersfield were galvanized into a massive forward effort and put huge pressure on Alton, laying siege in the home 22. A series of pick and drives and eventually one of the larger ‘Field forwards forced his way over the line near the posts for a 7 pointer.  It reduced the lead to 19-13 and everything was to play for in the final 10 minutes.  The pattern of ebb and flow continued and it was Alton’s turn to pressurize the Petersfield defence. The home support encouraged Alton into greater effort and they stretched the ‘Field defence with slick handling first to the right and then to the left. The defence was out of shape and a clever miss pass by Joe Gwyther put man of the match Charlie Rands into space. A sprint to the line and now the result was now beyond doubt at 24-13.
To their credit, Petersfield still refused to lie down and accept defeat. They pressured the Alton line right to the final whistle but time was now the enemy.  The ref, Glen Fulton, blew for no side and a superb contest was brought to a close.
In other fixtures today Basingstoke beat Trojans and Jersey went down at Gosport. Petersfield will take the positives from a strong second half performance into their next league fixture when Trojans visit Penns Place and a win should secure their position in Hampshire league 1 again next season.
Meanwhile Alton will look to avenge last season’s defeat by Portsmouth in the Hampshire Plate to keep the pressure on at the top of the table.