Pethy struggle to cope with injuries in heavy defeat at Wadebridge

10/10/09 - Tribute Western Counties West: Wadebridge Camels 50 v 3 North Petherton

Report by Simon Gingell

After last weeks home defeat and a bare looking 15 making the 2 hour trip to wadebridge it was with a feeling of hope as the game kicked off. The first 10 minutes of the game were fairly even, actually it was North Petherton's best period of the match. After some early probing from the away side wadebridge set up field position from which they scored the opening try. This coincided with new cap Ben Long getting injured and had to be replaced by hooker Ben Sellick.

The try was converted by the impressive wadebridge fly half who pulled the strings all afternoon. After this first score Petherton did have their best moment of the game with a great 30 meter rolling maul, but this led to nothing and after 20 minutes wadebridge scored again. This time the wadebridge backs lined up on the open side of a ruck and the back row blind, Pethy expected it to go to the backs and instead some good hands from the forwards blind meant an easy score with the Pethy defence outnumbered and out muscled. The wadebridge 12 and the back row were a constant threat and poor tackling meant they often broke the gain line with support on there shoulder which was lethal against a backpedaling Pethy defence.

In losing Ben Long meant a reshuffled scrum was struggling, things went from bad to worst as first Adam Modrzynski picked up an ankle injury and then Sam Williams sustained a shoulder injury, meaning both were unable to scrummage.

Another try followed with an optimistic grubber kick from halfway rolled right under the posts and the frantic defender rather than flopping on the ball dived over it leaving the wadebridge player a gift of a free pick up and touch down. Again this was converted and a penalty followed for a 24-0 lead.
Pethy did respond with a great chip and chase from Tom Williams and if he could have got the ball away to an inside runner then Pethy would have a try but with time running out in the half to avoid a nil score line Pethy chose to kick a penalty from right in front of the posts to bring the half to an end.24-3.

Strong words from John Evans which could be heard on the touchline tried to give Pethy inspiration for a fight back in the second half. This never really happened and Wadebridge scored more tries in the second half. More injuries to Pethy players meant more reshuffles to both pack and backline and starved of any real ball Pethy couldn't build any pressure. Everytime Wadebridge had ball they looked dangerous with their 9 and 10 starting most of the good work. Mike Taylor and Ben Tracey had good games. Taylor tackled everything in his way and really showed how to put the Wadebridge big men down. Tracey didn't have an armchair ride with a disrupted scrum for most of the afternoon and the Wadebridge 9 all over him like a cheap suit most of the time. But he did his best and did make ground with his quick taps and box kicks.

The final whistle went to put Pethy out of their misery. 50-3. A heavy defeat and just about the right score line. Virtually no phases of play and a lot of possession just kicked back to wadebridge led to a long afternoon. Pethy are still mid table and the league results are showing that this league is very open with anybody capable of beating anyone so all is not lost. A massive home game against Bude is next.

HT: 24-3

Tries:

Cons:

Pens: T.Williams

Drop Goals:

Team: 15. T.Williams, 14. C.Burge, 13. S.Hardy, 12. M.Ranson, 11. Goodwin (Rep. Adams, 65), 10. L.Williams, 9. Tracey, 1. Angel, 2. S.Williams (Rep. Foad, 70), 3. Modrzynski, 4. Lees, 5. Long (Sellick, 17), 6. McNeillie, 7. Taylor, 8. M.Brown.