TWO points cost Fordingbridge victory in Snows Hampshire One as they lost at Petersfield 19-17.

Six tries before half time, three apiece, but a scoreless second half saw 'Bridge come up short at Petersfield, who remain undefeated.

Fordingbridge started well with hooker Mike Parry getting his second try of the season after five minutes following a rolling maul.

Petersfield hit back with 14 points in a five-minute spell with converted tries from a charge down and pouncing on a loose ball at a ruck and swiftly going over.

Openside flanker, and the New Forest side’s Man of the Match, Ross Bealey got the visitors back in the game with a strong run taking a few home defenders over the try line with him and inside centre Mat Norton nailed the conversion from wide out.

The game was delicately balanced at 14-12 to the hosts when in the 37th minute, following concerted pressure, the ball was moved swiftly left and, Fordingbridge captain, Steve Brown, ghosted over using Parry & winger Dan Brown as decoy runners to fool the Petersfield defence.

The home side were to have the last word of the half when they scored a try following a series of scrums and penalties wide out. Half time it was 19-17.

The second half saw no points from either side and a pattern of attritional rugby mainly played out in the middle third of the pitch with the game not flowing at all.

Fordingbridge team manager Ian Brown said: “A disappointing result as this was a game we could have easily won, but credit to the hosts who were up fast in defence and gave us little time on the ball. However we remain extremely positive about the season and look forward to our first game at home next week against Farnborough."