Pethy pick up their second away win of the season

28/11/09 - Tribute Western Counties West: Newquay Hornets 7 v 22 North Petherton

Report by Lloyd Williams

North Petherton made the 125 mile trip to Newquay with a positive outlook on Saturday and kept this attitude throughout despite a boggy pitch and constant wind and rain.

Spurred on by the travelling support who braved the conditions, Pethy began the stronger side. Where their opponents often chose to kick first half with the wind advantage, Pethy ran back at them with intent from all areas. Sticking some good phases together with backs and forwards alike but often ending with a handling error in the hazardous conditions!

However at the end of the first quarter, a simple move off the back of Pethy's large and dominant scrum, finished with a try in the corner after Matt Ranson slipped a neat pass to Tom Williams who sprinted in from 30 meters. His conversion held up just short, 0-5.

After some scrappy exchanges, and some bustling runs notably Matt Brown, a pass out wide failed to go to hand. From here Newquay’s winger pounced and started a counter attack against a now disorganised defence and from a couple quick phases the same player finished the move he started under the posts for a well worked score, even if against the run of play.

Just before the break, Dave Hallaran held on to a fly hack and he was off with team mates trying to support he was unable to release the killer pass due to the scrambling defence. Half-time, 7-5.

Some strong words were said at the break by coach Matt Foad, thus knocking out any complacency, and not to let frustration creep in, as Pethy seemed to dominating but yet be trailing.

With the elements at their backs Pethy tightened things up and got the basics right in the second half, the forwards done their utmost to present good ball and Lloyd Williams kick to the corners at the right times. This constant pressure resulted in a penalty on 50mins, which was dually slotted from 30 meters by Tom Williams, 7-8.

Not long after and with the game now being played in the oppositions half, Pethy gained an attacking line-out inside the 22. With Sam Williams throwing well in the poor conditions, the pack formed a well-organised rolling maul, and with the added weight of blind-side winger Ben Tracey they crashed over emphatically. Sam Williams came up with the ball for a deserved try. Tom Williams added an important conversion from the right flank to give Pethy an 8 point cushion.

The rest of the half Newquay were under the cosh and struggled to get any real length on clearances. After some good phases and a half-break from outside centre James carter and a searing run from loose-head Matt Angel including a side-step anyone would be proud of, Pethy eventually found themselves pounding at the line only to be held up. From the resulting scrummage, they got the shove on and were rewarded with a penalty try after the scrum was collapsed. Williams tapped over the extras.

Pethy could have had one more scored when Chris Burge wrestled over in the corner after a well-worked backs moved but the last pass was controversially adjudged forward.

Final score, 7-22. A good result on the road with everybody sticking to the task, Pethy host Witycombe next week.

Please also remember this Sunday 6th December, Pethy are holding a special match in order to raise money for The Jim Clatworthy Appeal, it will be a 2pm Kick off, President’s XV Vs Pethy XV.

HT: 7-5

Tries: T.Williams, S.Williams, Penalty

Cons: T.Williams (2)

Pens: T.Williams

Drop Goals:

Team: 15. T.Williams, 14. Tracey, 13. Carter, 12. Hallaran, 11. Goodwin (Rep. C.Burge, 65), 10. L.Williams, 9. M.Ranson, 1. Angel (Rep. Prescott, 70), 2. S.Williams, 3. Modrzynski, 4. Cox, 5. Coles, 6. Gingell, 7. Taylor, 8. M.Brown. Rep Unused: Foad