Rusty Petherton Ease Past Martock

North Petherton eased themselves back into league action after the Christmas break with a comfortable win over bottom side Martock. Pethy scored a try within the first minute, and the floodgates opened for the rest of the half as they scored regularly against a determined although somewhat limited side. Indeed, Pethy were fortunate to keep the visitors to nil when they chose to run and kick for the corner several successive penalties awarded to them near the Pethy 22 when they were only 5-0 behind.

With the game over at the break, Pethy wanted to try and use the rest of the match as something like a training session ahead of their next match, but found themselves making too many mistakes when trying to force the play. Credit must also go to Martock who doubled their efforts in defence in the second period, including one excellent try saving tackle on Petherton centre Rob Havill as he dived over the line. However, Pethy eventually began to get going again and ran in a further six tries before the whistle. Read the match report here.

There were no shock results for the top two at the weekend as Nailsea and Burnham both won, although Old Culverhaysians lost at Combe Down which means that Petherton have risen to third place in the table. However, Pethy are still going to have to hope for one of top two to slip up if they are to catch them before the end of the season. All of the weekends results can be seen below.

Tribute Somerset 1 Results - Saturday 5th January 2008

Burnham on Sea 93 - 0 Keynsham II
Combe Down 20 - 16 Old Culverhaysians
Crewkerne 5 - 16 Broad Plain
Nailsea & Backwell 12 - 0 Bristol Barbarians
North Petherton 92 - 0 Martock
Wiveliscombe 50 - 7 Imperial

Whilst the Firsts had it easy, on the next pitch the Seconds were involved in a highly exciting encounter against Wellington Thirds, coming up just short by a point. Petherton's forward's gained the upper hand in the match but they were met with a red wall of defence that kept Pethy at bay for most of the game. However, it was a great team performance despite the result. Read the match report here.

Pethy Seconds are now back in fifth place in Somerset Three South after Castle Cary's victory over Crewkerne Seconds. Taunton and Wivey kept up the pace at the top of the table, and their victories over Tor and Midsomer Norton have seen them now open a significant gap over the rest of the division. All of the weekends results can be seen below.

Tribute Somerset 3 South Results - Saturday 5th January 2008

Chard III 39 - 15 Burnham on S II
Crewkerne II 0 - 62 Castle Cary
Midsomer Norton IV 0 - 15 Wiveliscombe II
North Petherton II 17 - 18 Wellington III
Tor III 8 - 44 Taunton III
Wells III P Minehead Barbarians III

North Petherton's Under 17's were also in action on Sunday morning at home against Bristol Saracens. In a well-matched game Pethy came out on top with a good team performance, dominating in the forwards and putting in some excellent tackles in defence. Try-scorers for Pethy were Cody Dehume with 2, Dan Pearce, Michael Stevens and Sam Tozer. One try was converted by Ashley Palmer and Saracens scored a great consolation try at the end to make the final score 27-5.

There are no league fixtures this coming weekend, but Pethy's Firsts will be taking on Somerset Premier side Wells away from home in a Somerset Vase Round 2 match. The Seconds have a friendly match at home against Ivel Barbarians Thirds. Kick-off is at 2:30pm.

There are mini and junior fixtures on Sunday morning with the minis traveling to Chard. The Under 13s are at home to Bridgwater whilst the Under 14s and Under 16s are away to Bridgwater. The Colts also have a match at home to Yatton on Sunday afternoon which kicks-off at 2pm.