Pethy suffer two derby defeats

North Petherton failed to overcome local rivals Burnham-On-Sea for the second time this season on Saturday, and in doing so missed out on the opportunity to take over from them at the top of Somerset Premier. Both sides were promoted at the end of last season, during which Pethy won two highly competitive league matches, and this encounter had an extra intensity with both sides enjoying excellent season's so far in the higher division.

In years gone by North Petherton have been able to get the better of their hosts by winning the forward battle, but Burnham have improved significantly in this area over the last couple of seasons, and for once the Pethy pack was not able to dominate as Burnham's forwards gained the upper hand in the set-piece, whilst their defence pressurised the visitors into a constant stream of mistakes. Burnham showed more cutting edge throughout and scored two well crafted converted tries by half-time, with Pethy responding through a try by hooker Sam Williams, who finished off some good driving play from a lineout.

The second half was frustrating for Petherton as some astute kicking by Burnham's 10 and continued mistakes and handling errors kept Pethy penned inside their own half, conceding a penalty to fall further behind. A last ditch effort in the last 10 minutes by Petherton's forwards forced an error from a scrum on the Burnham 22, which allowed flanker Keith Robinson to scoop up the loose ball and jink his way over for a converted try to set up an exciting finish. However, Pethy could not force a winning score and Burnham held out for a deserved win to remain top of the league. Read the match report here.

The other results in the Somerset Premier league saw Pethy hold onto third place in the league table, now three points behind leaders Burnham. Tor remain second, level with Petherton after their match against Chew Valley was postponed. Bristol Harlequins stayed fourth after a surprising home defeat by Stothert & Pitt. All of the weekends results can be seen below.

Tribute Somerset Premier Results - Saturday 6th December 2008

Avon 41 - 12 Winscombe
Bristol Harlequins 22 - 24 Stothert & Pitt
Burnham on Sea 17 - 12 North Petherton
Chard 22 - 22 Wells
Old Sulians 20 - 36 Midsomer Norton

North Petherton Seconds also came up short against local rivals Morganians, who made the most of their slim pitch and forward power to edge out Pethy by 8 points to nil. The match was marred by an unfortunate injury to Morgs Skipper Shayne Andrews, who broke his leg in two places, resulting in a long delay during the first half. A first half penalty and second half try were enough for the hosts to secure the win, all but ending Pethy Seconds hopes of promotion in the process. Read the match report here. All of the weekends results can be seen below.

Tribute Somerset Three South Results - Saturday 6th December 2008

Chard III HWO Wells III
Minehead Barbarians III 11 - 5 Tor III
Morganians 8 - 0 North Petherton II
Weston-s-Mare III 23 - 3 Castle Cary
Wiveliscombe II 37 - 0 Burnham on S II

This coming weekend there are no league fixtures for the First and Second Teams, and no cup matches either with Pethy already out of the EDF Senior Vase and the Somerset Vase. However, there is a Third Team match at home against Collompton, kick-off is at 2:30pm.