The lineout was very competitive throughout the match

Kev Ryburuk holds up a drive, as Cameron Kirk and Miles McNeillie (14) arrive to help

Petherton get a drive going from a lineout

Chris Mantyk poses for the camera

Seconds retain the Ken Pollard Memorial Shield

30/04/06 - Ken Pollard Memorial Match: Morganians 7 v 31 North Petherton 2nd XV

Both packs prepare for a scrummage

Report by Cameron Kirk

Petherton retained the Ken Pollard Memorial trophy in a game, which as per all games between these teams, was highly competitive. As expected, Morganians' forward strength was a telling factor in the first half. However as the game wore on Petherton's fitness began to tell and their back-line came more into the game.

In the first half Petherton's lack of discipline put them under unnecessary pressure and gave the Morganians forwards too many opportunities to use their size advantage in the set pieces. As the half wore on though, Petherton's backs started to run the ball and only a couple of dropped balls, forward passes and good Morgs defending kept them out. Miles McNeillie on the left wing had one great opportunity when he split the Morgs defence and was through one-on-one with the full back. Unfortunately his pass went to a Morgs player (truth be told: Petherton were in Black and White and Morgs were in blue!! He simply passed to the wrong team!!). Bradley Archer also had two good runs on the wing and Tom Williams at outside centre was looking dangerous in broken play.

Petherton were first to score after good pressure from their forwards. From a line out Cameron Kirk fashioned an opening for No.8 Mike Chillingworth to storm over, taking 3 tacklers with him. Kirk converted. Morgs hit back 5 mins later, from a scrum near Petherton's line. Dave Howe, an ex-Petherton player, took great delight in getting over the line. Matt Coates converted and at half time the score was 7-7.

Petherton dominated the second half and their first score was from the boot of Kirk for a penalty. The game opened up and Petherton's forwards became more dominant and their backs were making big breaks. Replacement No.8 James Lees was next to score, also taking a number of Morgs defenders over the line with him. Kirk converted for 7-17. Tom Williams then scored in the corner after good interplay between backs and forwards. Kirk converted again for 7-24. The final try was scored by the impressive Mike Coles, who once again had a big game in the second row. Kirk converted and that was the final play of an entertaining game, as usual played in the right spirit.

Tries: Chillingworth, Williams, Lees, Coles

Cons: Kirk (4)

Pens: Kirk

Team: 15.Sutherland-Earl, 14.McNeillie, 13.Williams, 12.Mantyk (rep.Gerber), 11.Archer, 10.Kirk, 9.Ryburuk, 1.Webber, 2.Kearle (rep.Wing), 3.Glanville (rep.Burge), 4.Coles, 5.Clarence (rep.Pike), 6.Varcoe, 7.K Gray, 8.Chillingworth(rep.Lees).

Matt Varcoe leaps like a salmon in the lineout (with a little help from John Webber and Tim Pike)