Petherton show promise in pre-season matches

North Petherton's 1st XV start their Somerset One season at home to Crewkerne on Saturday as one of several teams aiming for promotion, having finished third last season.

Their results in pre-season matches have been encouraging. They lost by seven tries to three at Wellington on the 17th of August, who play a level higher than Pethy in the Devon/Cornwall Premier. Colt Jamie Adams showed his promise with two tries on the wing in that match.

Petherton then beat Chard on the 28th of August, who were the fourth-placed team in the Somerset Premier last season, by 6-4 in tries and by playing some outstanding rugby in the process.

Pethy's club captain this season is utility back Lloyd Williams, who has been encouraged by the good turn-outs at training.

Powerful prop Pete Kingston is back after having missed last season through injury and former Combe Down scrum-half Neil Lennox looks a very useful acquisition, having moved to the area as a teacher.

There are also several other new players, while outstanding full-back Tom Williams has only just finished the cricket season as captain of North Petherton.

Still on the other side of the world are back-row men Miles McNeillie and Ross Finlayson (both in Australia), and the club will soon be missing flanker Gavin Wolfe (going to New Zealand) and centre Chris Burge who is off to Afghanistan with the Royal Marines.

North Petherton are always looking for new players. Contact either Lloyd Williams (phone 07971 856921, email ljwilliams10@yahoo.co.uk) or the club on 01278 663028.