Having been at a low ebb a few years ago, Alresford have shrugged off the doldrums to the extent that they won the Hampshire League 2 title last year, narrowly pipping close rivals Overton to top spot.

Pride and potential bragging rights to one side the fixture had little competitive importance. However, it was key to getting the players back to match fitness and provided an opportunity for the coaching teams to assess how their charges delivered as a team against the match strategy and individually in terms of skills and understanding.

The final score of 12-7 to the home side reflected the hit and miss nature of the match. For the first half, Field looked to have their noses in front only to be thwarted by Alresford’s solid defence or unforced errors. The second half was a much more even affair as the rotation of players took its affect on consistency.

In the first half, as it did for most of last season, Field’s scrum dominated before changes in personnel enabled the visitors to gain an amount of parity in the second. Field’s exciting looking back line needs little more time to gel completely but, when they do, we will be in for a feast of running rugby.

The development of the youthful half-back partnership of Michael Robbins and Nick Blumlien will be an interesting watch over the coming season, as will be the eventual shape of the first-pick backrow; newcomer Edgar Chekera and the returning Matt Momber putting in eye-catching performances. Momber looks to be in the same mould as last year’s vice-Captain, Toby Armstrong as a hard-tackling, hard-carrying flanker.

Despite having a large number of absentees, Field were still able to muster a strong squad on the day, another aspect that will be pleasing to their supporters as it should mean greater consistency across all three Senior XVs. All of the teams will meet their opposite numbers from Bognor RFC at Penns Place next week in the second friendly fixture.