Pethy's backline proves too good for Martock

02/12/06 - Somerset One: Martock 0 v 73 North Petherton

Report by Lloyd Williams

In last week’s game against Crewkerne most of the attacking play was through the forwards, but this week it was the complete opposite. The first 2 tries came from individual breaks by the backs deep in the Pethy half. It was not until mid-way through the first half that Pethy began to put together several phases of play which produced quick ball for the backs resulting in regular tries. With so much possession the backs were able to put into practice many of their set moves which they have been unable execute for most of the season so far. Hopefully, the success of many of the backline’s moves will give the players the confidence to carry them out in future games. On a more negative note many passes still went to ground and there were too many knock-on's as Petherton tried to force the play from all parts of the pitch. It was only due to some poor Martock defence that allowed Pethy to carry on the attack after the ball had been thrown to no one.

All of the forwards had a solid game and when Martock did attack, which was only ever around the fringes using their big forwards, they were always stopped on the gain line. For the second week running the penalty count was too high though, and this allowed Martock to gain significant ground during the match. They did get close enough twice in the first half to have a shot at goal but both attempts failed.

The second half was much the same. Pethy were able to bring their subs on early and were still able to keep up their attacking momentum throughout. A few of the tries throughout the match came from great individual effort, but most were team efforts. The best team try of the day was scored by prop forward Matt Burge, who finished off a move begun from a Martock kick-off during which the Pethy backline strung together several good moves with good lines of running and with players coming onto the ball at pace. This is something that the players have been working hard on in training, and this meant that they gained ground rapidly, backed up by good support by the forwards, who when nearing the try line did a quick pick up and drive from the back of a ruck which saw the powerful Mike Coles take the ball up near the try-line before unselfishly passing to Burge who dove over to score.

Martock did put together a series of attacks towards the end of the game, and aided by a deep kick that Walford could only kick out of play, ended up with a line-out on the Pethy line. They drove close and seemed to cross the line only for the ref not to give it.

Chris Burge, who was back from a tour of duty, played his first match since the opening league fixture of the season when he replaced Russell Williams at outside centre. He looked sharp from the moment he came on, but with 10 minutes to go he severely dislocated a finger when tackled giving a try-scoring pass to Lloyd Williams, and will likely be out of action for the next 3-4 weeks. With all of the replacements made Pethy played on with 14 for the remaining time, but things were evened out shortly afterwards when the ref yellow-carded Martock’s blind side flanker for what seemed to be head butting in a maul.

Petherton have a tough trip away to Somerset Premier side St Bernadette’s on Sunday in the Somerset Vase, and will be hoping that many of their injured players will become available. Flanker Matt Brown (damaged ligaments in his collar bone), scrum-half Kev Ryburuk (dead leg), prop Harley Brown (ankle), and prop Rob Newton (Illness) are currently out, whilst Captain James Lees is back from holiday this week.

Tries: B.Williams (3), L.Williams (2), Gingell, A.Walford, T.Williams, Havill, Finlayson, M.Burge

Cons: T.Williams (9)

Pens:

Drop Goals:

Team: 15. T.Williams, 14. B.Williams (Rep. S.Pearn), 13. R.Williams (Rep. C.Burge), 12. Havill, 11. A.Walford, 10. L.Williams, 9. Jarvis, 1. Glanville, 2. McNeillie, 3. M.Burge (Rep. Webber), 4. Gingell, 5. Coles, 6. Mantyk, 7. Finlayson, 8. Varcoe