New Milton Colts Bring Down Petersfield

Hampshire League Two

New Milton produced an impressive display to score 10 tries against a depleted Petersfield. Pick of the tries were from Callow who scored twice through a combination of football skills, pace and precision. Perry-West made several coruscating runs and scored his own try following a great team move. The forwards drove the ball forwards as they did all game and then spun the ball wide for Perry-West to explode down the wing and past three defenders. Jackson-Smith put in another impressive display of straight running and tough tackling. He’s grown two inches taller and broader since being given the captaincy. Booth and Adamczyk charged over the line several times following sustained New Milton forwards domination but were either held up or held up short until Booth scored a deserved try. Cornwell was back to his best, sending defenders flying as he punched holes in Petersfield’s defence. Holman ran at the Petersfield defence like a Fijian sevens star and he too was rewarded with a try having spotted a hole in the defence and ruthlessly exploiting it. Short was a giant as usual working hard and intelligently. Whilst Callow was inventive on one wing Cooper was solid on the other and threatened constantly. Cooper scored a try of his own as just reward for his effort. Cullerton was immense at hooker, winning all New Milton’s own ball and charging close to the try on several occasions. Whilst not the biggest player he made just as much impact with sheer will and determination.

It was a tough opening half for Petersfield with Pegg darting around the fringes from scrum half, then passing it to forwards to punch holes or feeding Harris at fly half who marshalled the backs with great support from Eldridge at inside centre. Jones was threatening all game and broke the gain line at will. Jones’ deft hands managed to release support players when Petersfield defence did get hold of him.

The substitutions flooded on in the second half but there was no let up. Hodges made good ground with direct running and Joint covered full back with aplomb. Woodhouse eventually got the score we have come to expect from his pace and power as he ran through the defence like a knife through butter. Fowler and Belbin both looked threatening as they came on to add fresh legs but the clock ran down before they could stamp their authority on proceedings. It didn’t take Baker long to score his customary try through a bullocking run from the base of the ruck.

New Milton will have tougher days this season and full credit must go to Petersfield for keeping going to the end and scoring two tries of their own. New Milton wish them luck for the rest of their season.