Petersfield RFC need ‘to keep grounded’ despite moving 14 points clear at the top of the Hampshire Premier table

It was their 16th bonus try point success in 21 matches, with only three league matches left to play.

Thescoreline, however, did not accurately reflect the performance and Ellingham could count themselves unfortunate to have suffered such a heavy loss.

Petersfield coach Jim Pearce remarked: ‘The scoreline flattered us as we were second best to a good Ellingham team that came out and played rugby.

'We failed to react to what was in front of us, or to the referee’s management of the game.

'Despite being close to the end of the season, we still appear to need reminders that we have to play as a team and stick to our structures when pressured.

'We’ve shown before that this approach bears fruit and that playing as individuals doesn’t work.

'We need players on the park to keep each other grounded and focused on what we are good at.

'There are just four training sessions until we travel to Bognor for what will be a huge game.’

Coronavirus notwithstanding, Field are next in action at Bognor on March 28.

'Bognor are a much-changed side from when we last played them thanks to a new coaching set-up and the return of some key players,’ Pearce added.

'We have a week off next week and will possibly go to watch the revitalised Bognor at Fareham Heathens.

'As we’ve said before, more than anything, our players need to learn to focus on the task in hand from the moment they arrive, if not before.

'If they don’t at Bognor, we could be on the wrong side of a painful wake-up call.’