Petersfield slipped to a 36-20 defeat at Winchester in Regional Two South Central.

Winchester opened the scoring when their right winger touched down just inside the corner flag for an unconverted try.

Petersfield were awarded several penalties for Winchester offences, but were unable to make the most of them.

Winchester struck again with a well-worked try on 36 minutes. From a scrum just inside Winchester’s half the home team’s number eight picked up and ran, and three passes later a speeder Winchester back touched down under the posts for a converted try.

With half-time approaching Petersfield upped their efforts and following some excellent play by the forwards the ball swung to the right of the posts, but with the line at their mercy Petersfield’s handling let them down with the final pass going to ground.

With seconds remaining in the first half, Winchester were awarded a defensive scrummage on the five-metre line.

Petersfield’s destructive scrum piled the pressure on the home pack, winning the ball against the head. Number eight Liam Perkins controlled the ball and touched down for the try, which was converted by Nick Blumlein.

The second period began at a ferocious pace.

Petersfield struck nine minutes after the restart when Blumlein kicked a penalty.

Winchester responded with a converted try, before kicking a penalty to go 22-10 up.

Petersfield struck back when Perkins reached for the line and scored his second try.

The visitors added to their score with a well-taken try by debutant Tommy Spencer following clever work by scrum-half Joe Knowles and centre Matt McLean to make it 22-20.

Winchester were awarded a penalty try when Brad Caparo attempted an interception but was judged to have deliberately knocked on and was shown a yellow card.

The hosts completed the scoring with a converted try to the left of the posts.

By Robin Wood