Seconds continue excellent start to the season

08/09/07 - Somerset Three South: Wellington III 0 v 45 North Petherton II

This was probably the strongest Second string that Petherton have fielded in recent times, featuring several players who will be challenging for First team places this season, as well as having a good mix of the club's veteran player's and young colts. Pethy's backline in particular had too much pace for Wellington, and some good handling when the ball went wide saw Petherton run in seven unanswered tries. The club will be hoping that having 20 players available for the Second team, as they did for this match, is a trend that will continue for the rest of the season.

The first 20 minutes of the match were somewhat scrappy as both sides made errors and stole each other's lineout ball. However, Pethy's pack began to get on top in broken play with flankers Ade Harris and Mark Stevens making a nuisance of themselves at the breakdown, Petherton were soon turning the ball over with some regularity and counter attacking with pace.

The first try of the match will be long remembered by one player at least, as hooker Matt Glanville scored his first try in senior rugby, and his first since an under 13's match for Petherton a mere 14 season's ago. After the forwards setup a good drive from a lineout, the ball went along the backline where Glanville collected the ball from centre Jamie Adams inside the 22, passed to full-back Cameron Kirk, who then popped the ball back inside for Glanville to dive over underneath the covering defence.

The conversion was missed but Glanville and Kirk were soon combining well again inside their own half after some good defensive work by No.8 Chris Mantyk had resulted in a turnover. Glanville popped the ball out of a tackle near the half-way line to speedy scrum-half Neil Lennox, who outpaced the first defender before the ball went through the hands of centre's Wand and Adams to wing Lloyd Steward who out paced his opposite man to score in the left-hand corner.

The conversion was again missed, but Pethy were now making big holes every time they attacked, with second rows Pete Kingston and Larry Steward at the forefront sucking in several tacklers with some typically bulldozing runs. Most of the Wellington backline were soon sucked in, and some more quick ball went through the hands of the Pethy backs to left wing Lloyd Steward, who again showed good pace as he rounded the last defender to score near the posts. Sutherland-Earl landed the conversion for a 17-0 lead.

Pethy were now dominating the match and a further two tries were scored in the five minutes before half-time. Chris Wand was the next to score, breaking through a couple of tackles and running in under the posts from the Wellington 10 meter line. The last try of the half was also scored from just outside the Wellington 22 when Petherton had gained a five man overlap, but instead of going wide scrum-half Lennox popped a short pass to the surging Larry Steward who powered through the remaining defence to score under the posts. Both tries were converted by Sutherland-Earl for a half time lead of 31-0.

Having dominated most of the first half, Pethy found themselves having to defend for the first 15 minutes of the second half as Wellington made the most of some basic Pethy errors to remain camped inside the Petherton 22. However, their defence was resolute, and some good tackling and rucking eventually allowed the visitors to clear their lines. After this period Petherton were able to start using their bench to provide some new impetus to their play, and after making their way up the middle of the pitch Chris Wand was again able to benefit from the space created with another good finish from just outside the Wellington 22. He then converted his own score.

For the last 20 minutes of the match, Pethy pretty much camped in the opposition half but didn't make the most of the opportunities that they created. They still managed a further score from teenager Sam Williams who powered his way through some tired looking tackles after breaking away on his own from some turned over ball outside the Wellington 22. He also then converted his own try.

This was a fine team effort for the Seconds who will be hoping to keep this momentum going after struggling over the last couple of seasons. Scrum-half Lennox and centre Chris Wand, as well as the returning Pete Kingston will be pushing hard for first team places after their performances in this match. As usual captain Larry Steward led from the front with typical aggression, and flanker Mark Stevens was as abrasive as ever at the breakdown. Young colts Tom Stanley and Jamie Adams also stood out showing excellent pace and tackling well throughout against some much bigger opposition.

H/T: 0-31

Tries: Glanville, Lloyd Steward (2), Wand (2), Larry Steward, S.Williams

Cons: Sutherland-Earl (3), Wand, S.Williams

Pens:

Drop Goals:

Team: 15. Kirk, 14. T.Stanley, 13. Adams (Rep. Gunner, 70), 12. Wand, 11. Lloyd Steward, 10. Sutherland-Earl (Rep. S.Williams, 60), 9. Lennox, 1. Jennings (Rep. A.Williams, 60), 2. Glanville, 3. Kierle, 4. Kingston, 5. Larry Steward (Rep. Hughes, 70), 6. A.Harris (Rep. Stone, 55), 7. Stevens, 8. Mantyk.