New Milton Colts bring down Petersfield with impressive display

Hampshire Colts League: New Milton 58-14 Petersfield

NEW Milton Colts produced an impressive display to score 10 tries against a depleted Petersfield.

The pick of the tries were from Callow, who scored twice through a combination of football skills, pace and precision.

Perry-West made several sublime runs and scored his own try following a great team move. The pack drove the ball forward, as they did all game, and then spun the ball wide for Perry-West to explode down the wing and past three defenders.

Captain Jackson-Smith put in another impressive display of straight running and tough tackling. Booth and Adamczyk charged over the line several times following sustained New Milton forwards domination but were either held up or came 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 forcefully at the Petersfield defence and he too was rewarded with a try, having spotted a gap in the defence and ruthlessly exploiting it.

Short was a giant as usual, working hard and intelligently. While Callow was inventive on one wing, Cooper was solid on the other and threatened regularly. 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 line on several occasions. While he is 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 threatened all game and broke the gain line at will. Jones’ deft hands managed to release support players when Petersfield's 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 expected 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 did not take Baker long to score his try through a bulldozing 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.