Petherton well-beaten at Chard

02/09/06 - Friendly: Chard 41 v 7 North Petherton

Report by Lloyd Williams

After a positive run out against Wellington the previous week, expectations were high. However, within minutes Chard put Petherton on the back foot where they remained for long periods of the game. Chard played a very different style to Wellington and Petherton struggled in certain elements of the game.

The final score of 41-7 left all involved slightly disappointed and frustrated. Chard scored most of their points in the first half hour with pushover tries and by outnumbering Petherton defenders out wide. The Petherton tackling was generally good but the defensive structure let Chard in too easily. The weather was not great but that did not excuse the fact Petherton lost the ball in the contact area too frequently. However, on a positive note, the number of turnovers/steals in Petherton's favour was a great asset, often relieving the pressure in defence and winning good ball in attacking positions. Ten minutes before half-time Petherton began to play how they had wanted to in small pockets, nearly resulting in a try started from their own 22 metre line.

Throughout the game the Petherton scrum was solid, taking positive steps forward, and forming a reliable source of possession. The backs again struggled to attack with any real force and often turned over on 1st phase. It was not until the second half when the team attacked as a unit that Petherton looked dangerous. Backs and forwards linked together, off loading before and in the tackle area. This type of play resulted in Petherton working up the pitch and finally scoring under the posts through Harley Brown, even though there was a slight bit of American Football style blocking involved by James Lees.

Generally Chard made less mistakes, disrupted the Petherton lineout and won their own, whilst keeping the phases moving. Another positive was that Pethy’s fitness held strong and all involved were still running come the final whistle. Petherton will be looking for a much improved performance in their first league match this coming Saturday at home against Old Culverhaysians.