NPRFC - 1st XV vs Nailsea & Backwell

North Petherton's old Somerset-One rivals, who have just been relegated from the Premier, proved too strong for them at Beggars Brook on Saturday.

The visitors have strengthened considerably compared with last season and, following three thumping victories, look set to go straight back up.

They led only 12-10 at half time, having been gifted two tries by Pethy mistakes. A home pass went to the floor and a Nailsea player ran the length of the pitch to set up a position from which they scored.

Pethy hit back with a penalty by their new centre Sam Hoare on his first-team debut. He has taken over the goal-kicking duties. Then Nailsea took advantage of another error to outnumber the home side and get their second try, which was converted.

Home No 8 James Lees touched down a drive from a line-out and Hoare converted as Pethy stayed well in the game at half time.

In the second half, Nailsea just carried too many big guns and were clinical in punishing mistakes or poor tackling. From a five-metre scrum on their own line, their No 8 broke clear and off-loaded for a try.

Then wing Jamie Adams, who had just come on as a replacement, did his best to stop an opponent in full flight, but couldn't. Nailsea's constant pressure forced more errors and their back three were very quick.

A plus for Pethy was that their line-out functioned well. But, constantly on the back foot, their threequarters had little chance to build decent attacks and they were well beaten by a good side.

Former Bridgwater & Albion Colts' prop Kyle Prescott made a debut appearance as a replacement and did well. He joined another ex-Albion man, hooker Andy Long, in the front row.

It was definitely the last game for Petherton centre Chris Burge, a Royal Marine, who flies off to Afghanistan on Sunday. Flanker Gavin Wolfe, from North Newton, is also off: to New Zealand for a couple of months then to an officer cadetship at Sandhurst.

H/T: 10-12

Tries: Lees

Cons: Hoare

Pens: Hoare

Drop Goals:

Team: 15. T.Williams, 14. B.Williams, 13. C.Burge, 12. Hoare, 11. Havill, 10. L.Williams, 9. Lennox, 1. H.Brown, 2. Long, 3. Kingston, 4. Coles, 5. Gingell, 6. M.Brown, 7. Wolfe, 8. Lees. Reps (all used) 16. Adams, 17. Harvey, 18. Prescott

		Clinical Nailsea prove too good for Petherton 22/09/07 - Tribute Somerset One: North Petherton 10 v 43 Nailsea & Backwell Report from the Bridgwater Mercury North Petherton's old Somerset-One rivals, who have just been relegated from the Premier, proved too strong for them at Beggars Brook on Saturday. The visitors have strengthened considerably compared with last season and, following three thumping victories, look set to go straight back up. They led only 12-10 at half time, having been gifted two tries by Pethy mistakes. A home pass went to the floor and a Nailsea player ran the length of the pitch to set up a position from which they scored. Pethy hit back with a penalty by their new centre Sam Hoare on his first-team debut. He has taken over the goal-kicking duties. Then Nailsea took advantage of another error to outnumber the home side and get their second try, which was converted. Home No 8 James Lees touched down a drive from a line-out and Hoare converted as Pethy stayed well in the game at half time. In the second half, Nailsea just carried too many big guns and were clinical in punishing mistakes or poor tackling. From a five-metre scrum on their own line, their No 8 broke clear and off-loaded for a try. Then wing Jamie Adams, who had just come on as a replacement, did his best to stop an opponent in full flight, but couldn't. Nailsea's constant pressure forced more errors and their back three were very quick. A plus for Pethy was that their line-out functioned well. But, constantly on the back foot, their threequarters had little chance to build decent attacks and they were well beaten by a good side. Former Bridgwater & Albion Colts' prop Kyle Prescott made a debut appearance as a replacement and did well. He joined another ex-Albion man, hooker Andy Long, in the front row. It was definitely the last game for Petherton centre Chris Burge, a Royal Marine, who flies off to Afghanistan on Sunday. Flanker Gavin Wolfe, from North Newton, is also off: to New Zealand for a couple of months then to an officer cadetship at Sandhurst. H/T: 10-12 Tries: Lees Cons: Hoare Pens: Hoare Drop Goals: Team: 15. T.Williams, 14. B.Williams, 13. C.Burge, 12. Hoare, 11. Havill, 10. L.Williams, 9. Lennox, 1. H.Brown, 2. Long, 3. Kingston, 4. Coles, 5. Gingell, 6. M.Brown, 7. Wolfe, 8. Lees. Reps (all used) 16. Adams, 17. Harvey, 18. Prescott

		©2007 North Petherton RFC

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