Much changed lineup struggles to gel

24/10/09 - Tribute Western Counties West: Camborne 34 v 9 North Petherton

Report by Jerry Upfield

A depleted line up because of injury, self imposed suspension and unavailability to travel, saw North Petherton make the near three hundred mile round trip to Camborne in overcast and blustery weather conditions which was accentuated by the bleak and wind turbine strewn landscape of the Cornish peninsular.

The home side kicked off against the elements and the ball went straight into touch, from the resulting scrum, Pethy was awarded a penalty and moved play to the home 22. Another penalty gave Tom Williams, playing at centre, his first chance at goal in difficult conditions and the scoreboard read 0-3 with only 4minutes played; however this did not spur the visitors on, and after a string of penalties conceded by Petherton, Camborne forwards took the initiative with a push over try by their No 7 Ben Cook, this was abley converted by their No10 Shane Woods.

Pethy were having problems in retaining what little possession they could lay their hands on, and with knock-ons, offsides and poor passing, but most of all their undisciplined defence, these errors lead to Camborne’s second score and conversion to make the score 14 - 3 at twenty minutes gone.

From the re-start Pethy allowed the free running backs of their opponents to make huge inroads into their territory, leaving their overstretched forwards and backs exposed and the inevitable infringements resulted and at 35 mins the score had moved on to 24 - 3. Despite stirling efforts in the tackle situation of a few, Mike Taylor, Matt Brown and Tom Williams included, the home side always had numbers quicker to the break-down and Petherton's 2nd row, Simon Gingell, was sin-binned for persistently offending. 

When the Somerset boys were able to retain possession they looked menacing, and one such break-out from their own half, lead to the Camborne defence going off-side and the resulting penalty was duly slotted by Tom Williams putting the half time score to 29 - 6.

The second half was a much more even affair with Lloyd Williams (capt) fielding well at full back and gaining more in the way of territory. The tacking improved and so did some of the on-field decision making, but not all. Pethy realised that Camborne were vulnerable to attacks on the fringes of the scrum, but the visitors did somewhat overplay this tactic, without releasing the ball often enough or soon enough for the expectant backs and in terms of opening the game up it was a non starter and lead to a stale-mate position for both teams.

Mike Taylor injured his ankle and had to leave the field after a collision with Camborne’s scrum-half and at about the same time Camborne’s No10 was carried from the field with a leg injury, Pethy forwards were reorganised so that Nick Pocock could replace Mike Taylor.

Camborne were still dangerous with the ball in-hand and scored an unconverted try in the sixty sixth minute to make the score 34 - 6. Petherton, now gaining in confidence, went on the attack in the last quarter and could have turned the tables on their opponents but for some cynical offences by the home side which were penalised by the excellent referee Mr Pengelly (CRRS), but only one of these penalties kickable penalty and was well slotted by the ever reliable Tom Williams to take the score to 34 - 9.

Jon Dicker was replaced by the ever young ex-captain Russell Potter at flanker for the last 10 minutes as a tactical change. The persistent infringements by the home side lead to a flair-up amongst the forwards, which was quickly brought under control by the referee, but the incident seemed to galvanize Pethy forwards and they produced their best phase of play for the entire match, sparking the type of aggressive interlinking play that they have been searching for all season and despite the final score (34 - 9), Pethy finished the stronger side with the second half score of only (5 -3) against.

It would appear that for North Petherton it is a matter of belief - Were they tilting at Cornish Windmills? Are they genuine contenders when travelling this far away? Yes, of cause they are - Believe in yourselves, boys. 

HT: 29-6

Tries:

Cons:

Pens: T.Williams (3)

Drop Goals:

Team: 15. L.Williams, 14. Tracey, 13. T.Williams, 12. C.Burge, 11. Goodwin, 10. Hallaran, 9. M.Ranson, 1. Coles, 2. Long, 3. Prescott, 4. Lees, 5. Gingell, 6. Dicker (Rep. Potter, 70), 7. Taylor (Rep. Pocock, 65), 8. M.Brown. Rep (Not Used): Foad.