Ground switch and broken down team bus fails to stop determined Locksheath Pumas against Chichester II

Due to the weather, the game had to be quickly switched to Petersfield RFC.

On their way to the match, the Pumas team bus, with most of the players on board, broke down.

Eventually, however, Locksheath shrugged off their difficulties to move into top gear and consolidate first place in the league.

It was was no easy win as Chichester knew that a defeat would see them drop a position, so they came to play.

In a first half facing uphill and with a strong wind in their faces, the Pumas defended well shutting down any attack by Chichester.

But as the half was drawing to a close the Pumas continued with their strategy of keeping the ball to hand and pushed hard up the field.

Scrum half Nick Destefano fed to finisher Jonathan Elsmore, who sent a trademark dummy and drew his man to release centre Sean Nuttall.

He took the tackle to pass to full back Robbie Connell who, with 10 metres still to go, powered through a block attempt to reach the line and open the scoring.

The Chichester defence held up well and seven minutes in they broke out to level the scores.

It then became a game of who made the fewest mistakes.

With so much pressure being applied, the Pumas managed to get held up short of the line but again applied the power moving the maul over the line.

The player with the score and the biggest grin was outside half and head coach Liam Moggeridge, who picked up his first try of the season.

Pumas closed the game out with a series of great tackles.

Chairman George Winch said: ‘Although it wasn't a high-scoring game, it was great to watch.

‘The Pumas have the attitude that if you defend well the result will come and this squad always believe they can score at any time in the 80 minutes.’