Pethy end their recent slump in form with a nervous win

28/03/09 - Tribute Somerset Premier: North Petherton 12 v 10 Midsomer Norton

Report by Matt Foad

Pethy took on Midsomer Norton at Beggars Brook this weekend desperate to get back to winning ways and keep their prospects of promotion alive.  Pethy had lost to Midsomer Norton in the first game of the season and were only too aware of the dangers that their opposition posed out wide and knew that they needed to limit their options.

Due to the long list of injuries and other unavailability’s, powerhouse vet Pete Kingston was recalled to the 1st team, after taking a back seat this season and playing 2nd team rugby, but he showed his usual commitment to be present at training last week and quickly made is presence know to new players at the club. At present there are 12 players in the 1st team squad injuried, away or have work commitments, this required yet more positional changes in the starting line up.

Pethy started well with some accurate kicking deep turning their opposition and putting them under pressure, this resulted in an early penalty which Tom Williams slotted within the first three minutes.  The opposition then put the restart straight out and North Petherton capitalized from the resulting scrum and phases of play saw a good break from Sam Williams but the support fumbled the ball.  A further penalty from the opposition meant that Tom Williams extended the lead to  6 - 0 within 7 minutes.

The game was played at a fast pace by both sides and their were missed tackles by both teams.  This play lead to a good break in central field by Midsomer Norton, taking play up to the 22, the resulting contact and break downs saw Mike Coles from Pethy receive a Yellow card.  Midsomer Norton took the option of a scrum and their number 8 Ben Parker scored an unconverted try to take the teams to half time.

The second half was riddled with penalties against the home side, putting even more pressure on the team.  This allowed the opposition to get back into the game and in the 61st minute Ben Prentis went over in the corner to give the opposition a 6 – 10 lead, again this was unconverted.   North Petherton were now up against a team growing in confidence and determined to run the ball and it was not until the 73rd minute that their luck changed with a penalty which was duly converted again by Williams taking them to within a point of Norton.  Pethy now increased their efforts and again were awarded a penalty virtually in front of the posts on the 77th minute, this one however was missed by Williams.  Norton took the resulting 22 drop and kicked deep, hoping to pin Pethy back in their half, but with some good counter attacks the home side got themselves within the Norton half and kept the pressure on.  This play led to the opposition being offside at the break down and in the last minute of play Pethy were awarded another penalty.  Williams slotted this to take the home side into the lead 12- 10, and this is how the match ended.

North Petherton have a lot to work on before next week when they take on the league leaders, Burnham at home.  Pethy will have to improve on some decisions made and some of their open play.  The pack had a superb game and were particularly strong in the scrimmage, something they need to take forward to next week. Pete Kingston was a rock in the scrum, and generally had a solid game. He showed he had lost little of his passion for the game and made some crunching hits. Sam Tozer had a good game at fullback, with the boot, as well as some excellent runs, which came from him hitting the line at pace.

HT: 6-5

Tries:

Cons:

Pens: T.Williams (4)

Drop Goals:

Team: 15. Tozer, 14. Adams, 13. T.Williams, 12. Havill, 11. Archer, 10. L.Williams, 9. Lennox, 1. Kingston, 2. S.Williams, 3. H.Brown, 4. Gingell, 5. Coles, 6. Wolfe (Rep. McNeillie, 65), 7. Taylor, 8. Tarr. Reps Unused: B.Williams, Tew