Petersfield slipped to a 30-26 defeat at home to Tottonians in South Central Two on Saturday.

Petersfield welcomed Tottonians to Penns Place who, after the first round of league fixtures toped the table in South Central Two on points difference ahead of Petersfield. The teams last met in league action in 2003 as Tottonians have maintained a position in leagues above Petersfield, finishing third in South Central Two last season.

Totts opened the scoring after four minutes from a penalty 15 metres out in front of the posts as Petersfield’s tackler failed to roll away.

On eight minutes the visitors’ left winger scooped up the ball and floated through the home defence to score an unconverted try to the left of the posts.

For the next 20 minutes stalemate ensued with Petersfield’s pack dominating in the set scrums and their back row and centres punching holes in the Totts defence, though they were unable to capitalise on the possession.

Totts, however, when in possession had Petersfield scrambling to defend and with 30 minutes on the clock Field’s Karter Whittock was yellow carded for holding on under the posts after warnings from the match official. The ensuing penalty made it 11-0.

With five minutes left of the half Field winger Seb Tuff scrambled through the visiting defence to dive over and score a try which was converted by Nick Blumlein.

Two minutes into the second half Field won ruck ball and passed to midfield, where a pop pass was gifted to the Totts outside centre who intercepted and charged more than 25 metres unopposed to score a converted try under the posts.

After more than five minutes of pressure inside the visitors’ 22 Petersfield chose to scrum a penalty 15 metres out in front of the posts, and despite previous dominance they lost the ball and an almost certain three points went begging.

Tottonians’ left winger then ran round the despairing defence to score a converted try under the posts.

Petersfield then passed the ball from the left to the right wing looking for gaps in the visitors’ defence. The ball went back to the right, where Liam Perkins was on hand to charge up the wing and break two tackles to score to the right of the posts. Blumlein added the conversion.

Petersfield’s Will Mathews then scooped up a loose ball and galloped down half the pitch with Tuff in support to exhaustedly dot down under the posts for a converted try.

Totts then capitalised on a charged down Petersfield kick to score an unconverted try.

The final scoring effort fell to Petersfield from a penalty lineout which was cleanly caught and secured by the reliable Franco Tomic. From 15 metres out a well-executed rolling maul had hooker Jack Janaway in possession to touch down for an unconverted try.

Tottonians top the table while Petersfield slip to fourth – just one point above Chichester. Petersfield will travel to Chichester on Saturday.

Petersfield’s second team beat Andover’s second team 10-0 in their final pre-season match.

By Chris Todd