First half of season rounded off in style

Last game of 2016 and a benchmark of the Ravens progress. A track record of narrow defeats to Petersfield, who were cup finalists last season, needed to be put behind them if Ravens were going to truly show how far they have come. It took 5 minutes to put down the first marker when winger Aaron Spiteri went in at the corner for the first try after getting on to the end of an excellent tactical kick by fly half Aidan Jarvis. The game was a real contest and Petersfield pressed hard but on the 8th minute Ravens turned the ball over in their 22 and began a march up the field that took 5 phases and the ball passed through 16 pairs of hands to end up again in Aarons on the wing who dived in for his second. Petersfield came back 4 minutes later with a strong run from their No. 8 Jacob that broke tackles to touch down in the corner. ravens set about building up to another try and 7 minutes later Euan Archbold crashed over and this time Harry Rabjohn converted to give Ravens a 17-5 half time lead. Jonnie Lewis, Prop, and Aidan Jarvis had both put in a big first half performance with some burst of speed from backs Tom Ellis and Tom Archer.
After the break Ravens seemed to go off the boil and Petersfield came into the game in a powerful display of their determination; but Ravens held them and then Joe Wilkinson battled his way over the line, again in the corner, for their fourth try of the game. Ben Wheeler and Ed Bell continued to crash it up but Petersfield contained the threat. Support play and off loading was needed to maintain possession and the team delivered. However, when Petersfield took a tap penalty on the attacking 22m, Ravens appeared asleep and No.8 Jacob ran in untouched to touch down in the corner. Ravens responded to the coaches calls and got back into the game but it was now well balanced as both sides battled it out for supremacy. Scrum Half George Smith made a couple of telling breaks and Ravens had the last word when William Hosell drove over and Harry Rabjohn converted to close out the game 29-10. Euan Archbold was nominated Man of the Match by the opposition.
Time off for a couple of weeks and then back into training for the Ravens as they build towards their Hampshire Cup Quarter Final against Tadley, who knock out Petersfield in the last round, on 15th January at Gosport Park.