Shield Final secured by Ravens

This game was always going to be a good match up with both sides knowing that this was their big chance at going forward to win a trophy this season. Ravens dominated the first four minutes until scrum half George Smith scrambled around the ruck and touchdown. Not a day for kickers in a strong cross pitch wind and Aidan Jarvis missed this conversion but manage two later in the game. Then the Referee went down injured and a replacement referee had to be found. Petersfield's defence was fantastic in their 22 as Ravens repeatedly tried to break the line and it took 8 more minutes before Ethan Hammond touched down in the corner when Ravens finally moved it along the line rather than trying individual crash balls. The game then settled into a game of attrition with both sides unable to break each others defensive lines but on 30 minutes number 8 Ed Bell scrambled to the line to make the half time score 17-0 to Ravens.

Petersfield turned around with the wind in their favour and got back into the game which unsettled Ravens who's discipline slipped and penalties began to ramp up against them. Penalties advanced Petersfield down the pitch and after several drives the number 8 Harry Noyce crashed over. Ravens responded immediately and worked their way into Petersfield half and off the back of a ruck centre Harry Rabjohn went on a 40 yard run that saw him bump and shake off six tackles to make the line and score. Petersfield then pinned Ravens back in their 22 but their defence held solid but the penalty count was now unacceptable and they were warned about future offenses in the red zone. Two minutes later number 8 Ed Bell received a yellow card for repeated infringement. From the resulting penalty Petersfield mounted an attack that ended in another try for Harry Noyce but Ravens ill discipline boiled over and resulted in a player from each side seeing yellow cards. Even with winger Connor Cox off the pitch and the number 8 not back from the bin Ravens worked to ball up the left wing and Ben Gray kicked and chased a scrambled ball that Petersfield just managed to fumble back into there own goal area and ground. Ravens tried a move off the base of the scrum but were denied by Petersfield who held them up over the line. Final score 24-12 to Ravens but a penalty count of 27-6 against Ravens showed work is clearly needed before the Shield Final.