This was always going to be a massive challenge for Pethy, who had not won at Wiveliscombe for many years. Wivy at home give little away and play their uneven pitch very well, and on what was a wet and muddy day, Pethy were given nothing all afternoon. There were a good number of supporters from both sides, with this match being the home side’s player’s reunion game, and with Pethy laying on a coach and extra mini bus to bring people to the game.

Pethy made a couple of changes to the starting line up that beat the league champions the previous week. Speedy Keith Robinson was restored to open side flanker with powerhouse Andy Agar moving to the bench. Rob Havill was switched to the wing from centre allowing straight running Russ Williams to start at 13 after impressing from the bench in the last two games.

Losing the toss, Pethy were forced to play down the slope into a slight headwind and were keen to make the most of it by half-time. However, even though Pethy were highly motivated and threw everything into all aspects of the game from the start, the home team controlled the contest.

Pethy tried to play for territory by kicking to the corners, but the home team marshalled it well. When Pethy failed to find touch with their kicks, they found the home team’s captain and full-back in excellent kicking form, and they often returned the ball with interest, finding touch and pushing Pethy back into their own 22. In attack their kicking was also causing Pethy problems. Tom Williams, who caught everything all afternoon, tried to run it back as much as possible, but was chased hard and well-tackled on most occasions.

When the home team got into Pethy 22 they were met with some solid defence as Wivy’s forwards setup some rampaging attacks, providing good ball to their backs. Eventually a penalty was conceded and it was kicked to give the hosts a 3-0 lead after 15 minutes.

Wiveliscombe were soon on the attack again, and this time they changed tactics and caught out the Pethy backline who were expecting a kick. They moved the ball up the slope quickly and with an injection of pace from full-back they were soon in behind the Pethy defence. Good covering tackles from Tom Williams and Keith Robinson seemed to stop the attack, and in the contact the ball seemed to be knocked on by Wivy and Pethy froze, allowing the full-back to get the loose ball and race to the corner to score. It was unconverted and Pethy were now 8-0 down after 30 minutes and struggling to get into the game.

Pethy then responded, as they have often done in recent weeks, by raising their game a level, putting together several good phases of running rugby and finally getting into the Wivy 22. Quick ball was produced and fed along the line to lock Simon Gingell, who was tackled excellently with the try-line in sight before he could offload to Matt Glanville. However, this passage of play forced the hosts to concede a penalty, and Tom Williams slotted it over to get Petherton into the match at 8-3 behind.

Just before half-time the home team were on the Pethy line again with their forwards trundling into the Pethy 22, but some huge tackles, especially from lock Mike Coles, kept them out. At the break Pethy were frustrated with their first half performance, having failed to take advantage of the slope, but there were many positives. Despite defending for most of the half they were only one score behind, and their scrummaging was great, pushing the home pack about. After a sloppy start, their lineouts were beginning to get back to the previous week’s form and in general, their defence was solid. Few words were said at half time, all of the player’s realised that a massive opportunity would slip away if they didn’t dominate and take control of the game right from the whistle.

For the first 10 minutes Pethy threw everything at the home team. A half break by Lloyd Williams fed Tom Williams, who then released Rob Havill to charge up the wing. Once in the home 22, Pethy went through 7 or 8 phases creeping closer and closer to the line, before eventually running out of players in the back line. A poor kick over the top that went dead relieved the pressure on the Wivy defence, and Pethy were made to pay as the 22 drop-out was booted way down field where Tom Williams was well tackled into touch. A turnover by Wivy saw them attack quickly towards the right corner and a penalty was conceded. However, this was missed to the left of the posts.

At this point centre Russ Williams was replaced, due to what turned out to be a broken hand suffered during a collision in the first half, by winger Bradley Archer who moved to the wing, bringing Rob Havill back into the centre. Also, the in form and talismanic Andy Agar replaced Mike Coles, who had put everything into the game. James Lees moved to the second row and Matt Brown went to 8. This coincided with a sudden change in Petherton’s players and they finally began to relax. They started to throw the ball around and put several good passages of play together, with the forwards making ground with ball in hand and sucking in the Wivy defence, opening up some space for the backs where is was looking like a break would eventually come.

Pethy were just outside the home teams 22 where quick ball was produced, and with limited defence on the bottom left side of the pitch, Lloyd Williams released Matt Foad into space, with Havill, Archer and Tom Williams on his outside. The defence swarmed across the pitch to cover, but Foad stepped back inside and jinked his way past several defenders before he was brought down 5 meters from the try-line. He then off-loaded the ball to supporting flanker Keith Robinson, who dived over to score. Tom Williams converted and Pethy had taken the lead for the first time at 10-8.

Pethy never looked back after this and began to play to their potential. The next try soon came from a similar passage of play when Lloyd Williams put a rampaging Matt Brown into a gap in the middle of the pitch. Again the support to the breakdown was quick, but the ball was slowed down by the home team trying to slap the ball out of scrum-half Rybaruk’s hands. However, he found Lloyd Williams who changed direction last minute after moving closer to collect the interrupted pass, and he went blind where he drew two defenders and released the pacey Bradley Archer, who was away. Archer then drew the full-back before returning the ball to Lloyd Williams who was in support, and he dived over for the try to the great delight of the Pethy players and supporters. Tom Williams slotted the extras to put Petherton more than a converted try in front at 17-8.

With 15 minutes left Pethy now had something to defend, and with promotion at stake they continued to throw themselves into every breakdown and collision, determined to keep hold of the ball and not let Wivy back into the match. The game carried on at a fast pace as the hosts also began to play with less caution, taking the ball wide. However, Petherton formed a brick wall in defence and mostly kept Wivy in their own half as they closed out the match. With only 2 minutes left, some excellent driving play by the Pethy forwards kept hold of the ball for many phases, eventually forcing a penalty on the 22. Tom Williams was again successful with the kick.

With only a minute left, Pethy collected the kick-off and were awarded a scrum from the resulting ruck that had formed. With one more shove and a couple of phases of keeping possession, Kev Rybaruk tapped the ball into touch and the final whistle went, sparking great scenes of celebration amongst the Petherton team and support. Promotion was achieved.

Everyone played with great heart and pride in the Pethy jersey, and put everything that they had into the match. The forwards battled hard and their dominance in the scrum was vital. The backs made good use of the ball they received and defended outstandingly.

At Christmas following a poor defeat at Bristol Barbarians, promotion had looked out of reach. Pethy were 4 points behind Nailsea and Burnham and their form suggested that both would walk away with the league. However, since the Christmas break Pethy have been unbeaten in the league, winning 9 matches and drawing 1. They were given their chance when a poor run of results for Nailsea saw Pethy climb into second place when they beat Old Culverhaysians at home on the 16th February. Since then, every match has been a cup final for Pethy, and after drawing at Nailsea on the 1st of March to keep hold of second place it had to be 4 wins from 4 to go up. The training and commitment of the players has improved this year and this extra effort has now paid off.

North Petherton have been on the fringe of promotion every year since relegation from the Premier in 2004, finishing 4th twice and 3rd last year. It is a credit to the players for staying committed to the club and working hard this year. Promotion is certainly well deserved having been the only side to beat the league winners twice and having the toughest of run-ins. There are only three survivors from the last promotion winning side, Captain Lloyd Williams, prop Pete Kingston and scrum-half Kev Rybaruk. The team that are going up have been together for a few years now and all will be hopefully staying around for next season when Pethy will look to establish themselves at a higher level.

The club are hoping that a few players who were in and out this season for varying reasons will be able to commit fully next season, ensuring some healthy competition for places. Players such as Sam Hoare, Chris Burge, Steve Doyle, Gavin Wolfe, Ben Harvey and Steve Ladd have all contributed at some point this season despite their other commitments. Pethy are optimistic that new members to the club Andy Agar and Matt Foad will both remain; both have made a hugely positive impact at the club since arriving in December.

It is hoped that promotion to the Somerset Premier will attract new players to the club and encourage more players within the club to want to play first team rugby. With more players to boost the club, Pethy want to get their Third Team up and running again from next season. This is a great opportunity for the large group of young players stepping up gradually to senior rugby over the next couple of years to play at a slightly higher level, and it will hopefully encourage them to commit to the club.

It was been a long old season and I am pleased that a few poor results did not end up costing us the chance of promotion. The squad stepped up a level after the match at Nailsea when we were set the task of winning all our remaining games to go up, which included massive tests against champions Burnham and promotion contenders Wiveliscombe. I would like to thank the coaching staff, the players and all those who have been on the sidelines supporting the team.

H/T: 8-3

Tries: Robinson, L.Williams

Cons: T.Williams (2)

Pens: T.Williams (2)

Drop Goals:

Team: 15. T.Williams, 14. B.Williams, 13. R.Williams (Rep. Archer, 55), 12. Foad, 11. Havill, 10. L.Williams, 9. Rybaruk, 1. H.Brown, 2. Glanville, 3. Kingston (Rep. Webber, 65), 4. Coles (Rep. Agar, 55), 5. Gingell, 6. M.Brown, 7. Robinson, 8. Lees.