Pethy find it tough to overcome determined Chew Valley

18/04/09 - Tribute Somerset Premier: North Petherton 10 v 5 Chew Valley

Report by Lloyd Williams

Pethy found this unimportant game very hard going, Chew Valley couldn’t catch the team ahead in the league and Pethy had a confirmed 2nd spot. With confirmation of a playoff, Pethy were out to prepare and continue the spirited performances of previous weeks. However, from the outset it was going to be tough.

Pethy dominated the first 20mins, but were being contained by the constant stream of penalties the visitors were conceding. This made for a very stop start game and Pethy were getting more and more frustrated and as a result often made mistakes in scoring positions. The Pethy backs were also living off slow and disrupted ball, and as a result were playing little part in the match. With the Pethy scrum under huge pressure on their own ball Ben Tarr and Neil Lennox were having a rough time of it, however the Pethy scrum was often doing the same to the opposition on their ball.

During this period, with the normal kicker Tom Williams away, captain Lloyd Williams stood in, he got the first penalty and hit the post with the second. After that kicks for the corners were selected, this may have been costly as the try never materialized.

Possession and territory began to change in the visitors favour, and eventually the captain crashed over for an unconverted try just before the half time whistle.

The second half was similar to the first, stop start, caused by penalty after penalty, by both sides now. Eventually Pethy took control of the game again and got good territory, but with time running out, Lloyd Williams decided attempts on goals had to be made, again he hit the post with first and missed again soon after. This seemed to open the game up, a poor clearance kick by the visitors was run back by inform fullback Sam Tozer, he manage to jink and sidestep till he was within 5 meters of the line, Neil Lennox was on hand to send out quick ball to Sam Williams, who then fed speedster, Jamie Adams who dived over to score in the corner. And to the surprise of all, Lloyd Williams converted from the touchline. The clock ran out as Chew Valley were closer and closer to the Pethy try line, to the relief of all.

Next week it looks very like an away trip to Southmead for a promotion playoff, this couldn’t have come at a worse point, key player Mike Taylor is on his stag do, taking powerhouse Adam Modrzynski. Also the club is meant to be on tour, meaning many players have other arrangements. But on the plus side several players may be returning from injury and holiday. Whatever the situation or team Pethy have reached their highest ever league position and will do their very best to gain promotion for the second season running.

HT: 3-5

Tries: Adams

Cons: L.Williams

Pens: L.Williams

Drop Goals:

Team: 15. Tozer, 14. Adams, 13. Havill, 12. R.Williams, 11. McNeillie (Rep. Perrin, 65), 10. L.Williams, 9. Lennox, 1. Kingston, 2. S.Williams, 3. H.Brown, 4. Gingell, 5. Coles (Rep. Modrzynski, 50), 6. Taylor, 7. Wolfe (Rep. M.Brown, 55), 8. Tarr.