Hurricane hits Petersfield

Report by Geoff Giles "In humid conditions, a freak Hurricane hits the South Downs and heaps destruction on Petersfield RFC."

Hurries visited Petersfield in their third consecutive Bowl Final hoping 'third time lucky' in this their 50th anniversary year. The host program boasted that they "would be met with ferocious home support" however, it was the two coach loads of traveling fans who made themselves heard, shouting their support throughout the match.

It took 1 minute and 10 seconds for the destruction to start. From the kickoff, a quick ruck the ball was moved swiftly out to 'magic' Dan Muir on the wing to run 20 metres crashing two tackles for the opening try, converted by Will Baxandal, 7-0.

After play stayed in the centre of the field for a while, on 14 minutes, again from quickly rucked ball on the hosts 22, Will Baxandal, ZETA PDM man-of-the-match, weaved his way through several attempted tackles to score a try which he converted, 14-0.

On 19 minutes Muir stepped inside taking out the defence, slipped the ball to Tommy Booth, VIKOMA man-of-the-match, who in turn slipped it to Chris Skelly and taking the tackle, slipped it back to Booth to score a try, converted by Baxandal, 21-0.

It was ALL Hurricanes time after time providing attacking flair, the hosts tried to clear their line with long field kicks, but the superb Kern Wales returned the ball every time with interest.

After a 5 metre line out and rolling maul, Skelly was stopped just short, Ryan Carey quickly rucked the ball to score a close in non converted try, 26-0.

On 40 minutes, again the combination of a 5 metre line out and rolling maul, Joe Rees peeled off only to be stopped short but slipped it to Booth for his second try converted by Baxandal, HALF TIME 33-0.

Petersfield started the second half with renewed energy but were soon stopped in their tracks. The brilliant James Keyworth, hacked a loose ball on from the half way line, was 'shadowed' by a defender in the chase for the ball. The host full back got there first but miss kicked the clearance, as Keyworth went for the try the defender took him out and the referee had no hesitation in awarding a penalty try, converted by Baxandal, 40-0.

Then followed a behind the post 'pep talk' given by the host captain, which could be heard in New Zealand, this was taped and may soon be heard on U-TUBE?

After a 20 metre scrum near to the host line, Booth peeled off with the ball, fed Seb Corby who went on a 20 metre unopposed dash to the line for a try, converted by Neil Buckingham, 47-0.

Then immediately afterwards the hosts made a rare visit to the Hurries 22 and their young winger Mark Tamba went over for a converted try, 47-7.

Hurries hit back straight away, Wales again running the ball back from deep fed Andy Gough who dashed 22 metres crashing through several tackles for a try, converted by Buckingham, 54-7.

Then from a 5 metre scrum, Corby fed Wales on the blind side who drew the defence and slipped it to Matt Jones to score an unconverted try in the corner, FINAL SCORE 59-7.

Hurries from; Harris(captain), Thomas, Skelley, Hunter, Joe & Sam Rees, Carey, Booth, Dove, Baxandal, Muir, Keyworth, Robinson, Chandler, Wales, Eldridge, Gough, Buckingham, Tyas, Corby, Jones, Cooper.