Penryn complete a league double over Petherton

12/12/09 - Tribute Western Counties West: North Petherton 13 v 20 Penryn

Report by Mike Dove (From the Penryn RFC website)

This was Penryn’s first ever visit to North Petherton, a small town just north of Taunton. Pethy, who lost at The Memorial ground earlier in the season, had targeted Penryn as one of two fixtures they needed to win in order to secure their place in Western Counties, a league everyone seems to love as it provides good competition without the problems of excessive travel. It was not to be, but what a tussle it turned out to be. Excitement at the beginning, excitement in the middle, and a nail biting end, with each side giving its all to overcome the other. The home side were only in the lead for a five minute period towards the end of the first half, but were always competitive and the game could well have gone either way.

On a bright sunny winter afternoon Penryn kicked off and an home team infringement after only two minutes gave Dave Pascoe an easy kick and the visitors were three points up. But after ten minutes North Petherton (The Oaks) scored a try through centre James Carter. Full back Tom Williams converted and the home side went ahead by seven points to three. It did not last however. After a forward drive and a threes move, Gareth Tedstone took the ball on and Allen Jordan showed off his side step and dummy to jink his way over for a try in the corner. From then to the final whistle The Borough were always ahead, but ar times it was very tight and each side strove hard to get on top. Just on half time however the visitors went further ahead. From a lineout the ball went to Dave Pascoe, then to Taron Peacock, who evaded several tackles to increase the lead, which was further increased with Dave Pascoe’s conversion, to give a 15 – 7 lead for Penryn at half time.

The second half was more of the same – determined wholehearted rugby; certainly North Petherton were not going to give this one away lightly. They exerted determined onslaught after determined onslaught on the Penryn line. They were rewarded in the 50th and 61st minutes when Tom Williams added two penalty goals to bring the home side within two points of their visitors. With a great deal of home support, Pethy continued to exert pressure, and Penryn continued to keep them out, but the visitors defended and tackled magnificently, with one superb try saving tackle by a prop typical of the wholehearted efforts made by every member of the team.

It was a nail biting final twenty minutes, with each side attacking and defending well, then after 74 minutes Chris Mann broke free, cross kicked for Taron Peacock, who again evaded the defence to score in the corner. With a seven-point lead The Borough were still not able to relax; a try and conversion could still result in a draw. It looked as though this could happen as the Kiwi referee awarded North Petherton a penalty, right in front of the posts. A tap or scrum might have given them possession and a try, the conversion would have given them a draw, but they chose to kick for touch. After the ensuing line out, Penryn were able to clear their line and a few minutes later the referee blew up for the end of the game.

The Borough, who have scored seven tries in the last two games, once again put on a display of positive and skilful rugby, against a very determined team which included several ex Bridgewater players.

HT: 7-15

Tries: Carter

Cons: T.Williams (1)

Pens: T.Williams (2)

Drop Goals:

Team: