Taunton's backs make the difference

24/03/07 - Somerset Three South: North Petherton II 8 v 43 Taunton III

Report from the Bridgwater Mercury

Both sides were able to bolster their starting line-ups for this fixture with Taunton Second's and Petherton First's not having a match at the weekend. Petherton's Veterans had a rare run-out against their counterparts from Burnham, which left the Second Team short of players. Although Pethy fielded the majority of their first team pack, they were no match out wide for the strong running of the Taunton back line.

The home forwards coped well, and dominated the opening twenty minutes of the match playing up the slope. With Taunton's loose head prop getting sin-binned in the first minute for punching fly-half Lloyd Williams, Pethy were able to take the lead from the ensuing penalty, converted by Williams. With a man advantage and the back row of Simon Gingell, Gavin Wolfe, and Matt Brown frequently turning ball over at the breakdown, Pethy created a number of opportunities but failed to take them. Wing Lloyd Steward came the closest to a try in the first half for the home side after being well tackled into the corner flag as he was touching the ball down.

As the half went on the Taunton forwards began to dominate the set piece as Petherton's make-shift lineout and scrum struggled to keep hold of their own possession. Despite Petherton continuing to win many turnovers at the break down, this gave the visitors the platform they needed to release their backs, and two clean breaks before half time saw them go into the interval 14-3 in front.

After several changes at half-time, Petherton started the second half slowly and were caught out by a number of good counter-attacks from their own half by Taunton, who used their big centre to good effect up the middle, and with some some good interplay between forwards and backs, scored several tries in quick succession.

However, after the introduction of First Team Captain James Lees and props Matt Burge and Harley Brown, who came on in the centre before moving to the front-row, Pethy began to dominate the scrum and hooker Matt Glanville was eventually able to find his jumpers in the lineouts. Pethy were able to pinch a consolation try after more good work by Matt Brown and Gavin Wolfe, who both harassed the visiting fly-half and centre into a handling error from a Taunton lineout in their 22, allowing Petherton centre Chris Wand to scoop up the loose ball and score the try.

Further changes by the visitors ensured that the game remained competitive to the end, but the home side produced some stubborn defence to keep Taunton from scoring further tries.

All the forwards played well, with newcomer Gavin Wolfe impressive at flanker, whilst Chris Wand and full-back Simon Freeman, in his first game of the season, did well in the backs despite being up against it for most of the afternoon.

Tries: Wand

Cons:

Pens: L.Williams

Team: 15. Freeman, 14. L.Steward, 13. Jarvis (Rep. B.Williams), 12. Wand, 11. Pither, 10. L.Williams, 9. Ryburuk, 1. Jennings (Rep. H.Brown), 2. Glanville, 3. Kyle (Rep. M.Burge), 4. Coles, 5. Lorne, 6. Gingell (Rep. Lees), 7. Wolfe, 8. M.Brown