Petherton enjoy their biggest win of the season

21/02/09 - Tribute Somerset Premier: Chard 17 v 40 North Petherton

Report by Robin Havill

A gloriously sunny afternoon provided perfect conditions underfoot for North Petherton to demonstrate the style rugby they have strived towards playing this season.

However, the game started poorly with Pethy giving away a penalty well into their half giving Chard an opportunity to build a platform from which to attack. Fortunately they were unable to capitalise, and play advanced toward the Chard line. Sustained pressure in the first half with strong running from the forwards, notably Harley Brown and Ben Harvey, resulted in three successful Tom Williams penalty kicks giving Pethy a promising points cushion.

Chard managed to reply with a kick of their own before some good work in open play from Russell and Tom Williams provided a scoring pass for winger Ben Williams, who finished well. As Pethy began to gain superiority up front the pressure told and Chard conceded a try to Matt Brown, who hit a flat pass at pace to touch down unopposed.

In spite of being heavily penalised throughout the game Pethy held firm against a side who seemed to have little to offer in attack, and Chard had to wait until the second half before they could mount any serious assault on the visitors line. Indeed, following the turn around it seemed the Black & Whites might surrender their comfortable 16-point lead, as Chard a well taken try through their number 8 from the back of a scrum. Shortly after, it seemed a misunderstanding in defence was to blame for a break down the spectator side, a home forward running in from 40 metres out chased in vain all the way by Mike Coles.

Another surging try from Matt Brown brought the game back to life. This galvanised the visiting side who were starting to enjoy the freedom out wide so often denied in recent matches, with Lennox and Archer putting pressure on the opposition winger forcing the Chard players to commit heavily in defence. This freed up space for Matt Foad to run in on the opposite side soon after winger Ben Williams had taken his second try in much the same fashion.

The final whistle provided some relief to the players who had given everything for 80 minutes in the hot sun, and the score line proved that Pethy, with just a bit more discipline and clinical approach to their game, are capable of playing match-winning rugby to be proud of.

HT: 3-19

Tries: M.Brown (2), B.Williams (2), Foad

Cons: T.Williams (3)

Pens: T.Williams (3)

Drop Goals:

Team: 15. T.Williams, 14. B.Williams, 13. Havill (Rep. Archer, 60), 12. R.Williams, 11. Foad, 10. Lloyd Williams, 9. Lennox, 1. Angel, 2. S.Williams, 3. H.Brown, 4. Harvey (Rep. Modrzynski, 50), 5. Coles, 6. Tarr, 7. Taylor (Rep. Wolfe, 70), 8. M.Brown.