Earlier in the season when these sides first met at Beggars Brook, Nailsea came away with a 42-10 win and looked set to dominate the Somerset One league this season. However, following a 3-game losing run for Nailsea, Pethy had overhauled their hosts in the league table and went into the match in second place, 2 points ahead of Nailsea in third. With the top 2 being promoted at the end of the season, this was a must-win game for both sides.

On arriving early in Nailsea and seeing the opposition already deep into their warm-up, it was clear for Petherton’s players to see that the home team were keen to end their losing run and re-take second place. It was also a big day for the hosts with many Nailsea and Backwell old boys present, resulting in a large home crowd. It was also great to see a good number of travelling Petherton supporters present and keen to support their team to a valuable win. Pethy welcomed back Bradley Archer to the wing after a spell out, a player who has great pace and is solid in defence.

Playing up the slope in the first-half, Pethy found it tough going. The home team got into their stride first and never let up. Pethy struggled to get their hands on the ball and when they did it was deep in their own half and the only option was to clear. Pethy had to withstand wave after wave of attack, the home team concentrating their attacks with back-row players running at the 10 or with backs moves looking to hit their centres at pace. Pethy’s defence was solid and remained organised throughout, although the home team did get close to the line on several occasions. Each time the Pethy defence turned over the ball and they were able to clear their lines. Early in the first-half scrum-half Kev Rybaruk strained his side which affected most areas of his game, but his control of the forwards was essential.

The concerning aspects of the game for Petherton were the increasing number of penalties that they were conceding all over the field, especially in areas where they are normally rock solid. Also the Nailsea pack were turning the scrum, making it hard for Pethy to defend the eight picking and driving from the base. With the penalties flying the home team had several shots on goal, converting one.

Pethy did get out of their half on several occasions, but struggled to get the phases going as the home team played the breakdown area well, slowing the ball’s release by not rolling away. As a result of having to commit too many player’s to the breakdown, the forwards were not able to create much space for the backs, and they in turn struggled to find some gaps and put any real pace into their attacks.

After 30 minutes No.8 James Lees landed awkwardly from a lineout, sustaining ankle ligament damage that will sideline him for up to 6 weeks. However, with the Second Team’s match cancelled, Pethy were able to bring on the powerful second-rower Wayne Pither as a replacement, and he performed extremely well, especially in defence and proved to be a great asset in the middle of the lineout.

With nearly 50 minutes of the first-half played and with Pethy only 3-0 behind, a wheeled scrum near the Nailsea 10 metre line and one slight error in defence gave the home team a clean break on half way, which resulted in a try for their open side flanker following a good run by their winger. It was unconverted to give Nailsea an 8-0 lead at the break.

Pethy started the second half with high expectations and were determined to use the slope to best of their advantage. Play became more frantic from both teams and more and more gaps were appearing. Pethy still struggled to get field position. When they kicked to the corners they often failed to find touch, allowing the home team to return the kicks with interest.

Early in the second-half the Nailsea’s No.7 was sent off for striking Rybaruk in front of the ref. Pethy went straight to work in making their numerical advantage tell. They began putting their phases together and started to run at their opponents, making good ground in the process. After a good charge by the forwards the ball was spread wide, putting Bradley Archer into space, and after a good run he was stopped deep in the home teams half. The attack continued until the home team were guilty of lying over the ball. A tap penalty was taken, and even though the home team were lined up ready, Andy Agar managed to pick a hole and crash his way over. Tom Williams converted to bring Pethy back within a point.

Play again became frantic, with both teams crashing into tackles and flying into rucks and mauls. As Pethy were defending their 10m line, Nailsea spread the ball wide, with the centre drifting across the pitch the attack looked to be well covered, and as he offloaded under pressure flying winger Ben Williams hit the line at pace to intercept the ball and was clean through. It was not until 10 meters from the try line that a covering defender got across, but with a side step and a solid hand off, he was through to score a great solo try. Tom Williams was unable to convert.

The score was now 12-8 to Pethy but Nailsea were not going to lie down and they came straight at Petherton, forcing them back into their own half. However, Pethy were also not helping themselves, and they were guilty of not taking the option to boot the ball downfield and make the home team run it from deep, deciding instead to try and keep the ball in hand. When Pethy did have good field position they didn’t spread the ball wide quickly enough often enough, because when they got quick ball they had looked dangerous.

With 20 minutes left and deep in their own half, Kev Rybaruk was hit as he sent the ball out, and it briefly went lose before being gathered and a ruck created. At the ruck the home team conceded another penalty and with the ref playing advantage Tom Williams chipped the ball over the defence, but was unable to gather. Surprised that the advantage was called over, the home team attacked quickly, catching the Pethy defence out of position, allowing the Nailsea winger to round the last defender and score near the posts. It was converted and the lead changed back to Nailsea.

It was not long before Pethy were again on the attack. The home team were guilty of lying on the ball at the breakdown in their own 22 after several phases of attack by Pethy in which the ball was spread wide and supported well by the forwards. With 15 minutes left and Pethy taking control of the game again, a shot on goal was taken, successfully converted by Tom Williams to make the score level at 15-15.

Pethy piled on the pressure and eventually found themselves back in the home teams 22, but when Nailsea cleared for touch, the final whistle went, slightly early. Pethy’s first response was of disappointment, but as they chatted in a post match huddle, spirits were lifted as the result keeps Petherton in second place, and the commitment and effort by all, particularly in defence, was something to be pleased with.

Powerhouse Matt Brown was awarded man of the match by the home team, both for his aggressive defence and for being a general menace around the pitch. He and Andy Agar had excellent games in the back row. Both forwards and backs were solid in defence, with centre Russ Williams in particular outstanding in the tackle.

It was generally a good team performance, but on reflection Pethy will look back at this game and think of it as a missed opportunity. A few lapses in concentration in an otherwise solid defensive effort, and some poor-decision making in the second-half allowed Nailsea to get back into the game when they could have been put away after being reduced to 14 men.

Petherton remain 2 points clear of Nailsea, but their vastly superior point’s difference means that Pethy cannot afford that lead to slip over the remaining four rounds of league matches. However, leaders Burnham-On-Sea lost at lowly Crewkerne meaning that their lead has been cut to 3 points. On Saturday Combe Down are the visitors for what is another must-win game for Pethy. They have improved greatly since Christmas and their recent run of results include a win at Nailsea.

H/T: 8-0

Tries: Agar, B.Williams

Cons: T.Williams

Pens: T.Williams

Drop Goals:

Team: 15. T.Williams, 14. Archer, 13. R.Williams, 12. Foad, 11. B.Williams, 10. Lloyd Williams, 9. Rybaruk, 1. M.Burge, 2. Glanville (Rep. Pocock, 70), 3. Kingston, 4. Coles, 5. Gingell, 6. Agar, 7. M.Brown, 8. Lees (Rep. Pither, 30). Rep Unused: Pearn