Leaders Petersfield eager to follow up on crucial win - Locks Heath Pumas meet rivals Southampton University Hospitals

When the sides met in October, Field were aiming to bounce back from their narrow loss at home to Alton.

On that day, the Reds recorded a 30-24 victory but that came after a real battle between the teams.

Fortunately for Field, they have rediscovered the ruthless defensive performances that earlier in the season established them as the tightest backline in the division.

A tight defence, along with a free-scoring attack, has seen them generate a points-scored difference of 230.

‘The team has found a desire to defend recently and as much as we are thoroughly enjoying it, we are scratching our heads as to where it has come from,’ said coach Jason Ford.

‘This is meant in a good way as it has laid the foundations of our recent performances.

‘The Alton game was another tick in the box, but we have yet to host Fordingbridge and Sandown & Shanklin - the latter being a league-cup double header.’

n Locks Heath Pumas meet rivals Southampton University Hospitals in another important Hampshire One clash for both teams.

Chairman George Winch said: ‘We are on a great nine-match unbeaten run with some fantastic wins behind us.

‘But we are only as good as the match we are playing in and the players know this and are focused.’

Pumas make one change in the forwards, with lock Kent Streek returning and Tom O’Grady moving to the bench.

In the three-quarters, scrum-half Iain Fraser is back with Nick Destefano moving across to his normal fly-half spot.

Will Quigley is also another change brought into the final squad as a finisher.

Head coach Liam Moggeridge said: ‘We are again in good shape with a lot of players to chose from, but we have a good nucleus within the team and any changes are allowing us to execute the right game plan each week.’