Clinical Bideford give Petherton a lesson in finishing

18/11/06 - EDF Energy Junior Vase Round 3 South-West: Bideford 26 v 3 North Petherton

North Petherton dominated possession away at the unbeaten leaders of Devon One but could not take advantage. It was the home side who were more clinical, scoring almost every time they got inside the Pethy 22. Petherton were caught by two counter attacks in the first half, the first setting up a lineout near the Pethy try-line at which quickly won ball resulted in a well worked backs move, finished off by the big Bideford full-back. Petherton were soon back in the opposition 22, but were caught out again by a clearance kick upfield that was gathered and finished off from the near the half-way line by Bideford's left-winger. A conversion meant that Petherton found themselves 12-0 down despite having had the better of the match at that point.

Petherton then decided against trying for the points from a succession of penalties in the Bideford half and despite applying pressure in the set-piece they were unable to make their opportunities count. Just before half-time Petherton lost flanker Ross Finlayson to the sin bin for entering the side of a ruck as the visitors had begun to give away too many penalties for the referee's liking.

During the sin-bin period at the start of the second half, Bideford scored again. This followed some good handling and ball-carrying by their forwards from a line-out near the 10 meter line, and was finished off by their hooker near the posts. Bideford added the extras for a 19-0 lead.

Again the visitors took the game to the Devon side but were kept out by a resolute defence. As Pethy tried to get back into the game a number of knock-on's and wrong options contributed to their downfall, and all they could get for their efforts was a Lloyd Williams penalty. After this Bideford had the better of the closing stages as Petherton were again reduced to 14 men when Simon Gingell was yellow carded for a high tackle despite the offender actually being No.8 Matt Brown. Bideford were also reduced to 14 men near the end of the match after their tight-head prop was sin-binned after killing the ball at a ruck.

Bideford had the last word though with another well-worked try through their backs, finished off by their speedy left winger in the corner. The Bideford fly-half then made an excellent conversion from the touchline as the scoreboard began to flatter the home side somewhat, although there was little doubt that they deserved the win.

Tries:

Cons:

Pens: L.Williams

Drop Goals:

Team: 15. B.Williams, 14. Kirk, 13. R.Williams, 12. Havill, 11. A.Walford, 10. L.Williams, 9. Ryburuk, 1. Glanville, 2. McNeillie, 3. Webber, 4. Gingell, 5. Lees (Rep. Varcoe), 6. Mantyk, 7. Finlayson, 8. M.Brown. Reps Unused: M.Burge, Evans