Pethy maintain promotion challenge
After struggling to find their best form in recent league matches, North Petherton finally displayed some of their best attacking rugby during a good victory over Combe Down at Beggars Brook on Saturday. Despite conceding far too many penalties throughout, Pethy were able to dominate their youthful opponents for much of the match, scoring six tries and conceding none. Pethy have yet to concede a try in the league since their last defeat at Bristol Barbarians on the 15th of December, and their defence was again rock solid, providing the platform for some good open rugby. Read the match report by clicking here.
In other results in Somerset 1, league leaders Burnham-On-Sea put last week's surprise defeat behind them to move within one victory of securing promotion. They hammered Bristol Barbarians at home and 3 more points from their last 3 games will be enough for them to win the league. Petherton remain 3 points behind in the second promotion spot, but Nailsea and Wiveliscombe kept up the pressure in third and fourth place with big wins over the bottom two sides. All of the weekend's results can be seen below.
Tribute Somerset 1 Results - Saturday 8th March 2008
Burnham on Sea 71 - 11 Bristol Barbarians
Imperial 20 - 31 Old Culverhaysians
Keynsham II 18 - 21 Broad Plain
Martock 10 - 80 Nailsea & Backwell
North Petherton 36 - 6 Combe Down
Wiveliscombe 59 - 0 CrewkerneThere are now three rounds of matches to go, and Pethy will realistically have to win all of their fixtures to keep hold of second place. Nailsea and Wivvey both have a better points difference than Pethy, and are both 2 points behind in the league. The table below shows the run-in for the top four sides: -
Pethy Seconds were glad to have a match after recent walkover victories had disrupted their recent winning momentum. Following a rusty first-half performance at home to Wells Thirds on Saturday, they mounted a good comeback from 15-0 down to win 31-22. Wing Lloyd Steward and Lock Wayne Pither continued their excellent try-scoring records for the seconds, notching up their 17th and 9th tries of the season respectively. Read the match report here.
This win has kept them in third place in Somerset Three South, although good wins for Taunton and Wiveliscombe mean that they remain just a bit too far away from Pethy in the table to be caught. In other results, the sides in the bottom half were all well-beaten, whilst there was again another walkover victory when Hornets Thrids could not raise a side. All of the results can be seen below.
Tribute Somerset 3 South Results - Saturday 8th March 2008
Burnham on S II 47 - 0 Tor III
Castle Cary HWO Hornets III
Chard III 63 - 0 Crewkerne II
North Petherton II 31 - 22 Wells III
Wellington III 17 - 50 Taunton III
Wiveliscombe II 15 - 45 Minehead Barbarians IIIThere are no league fixtures until the 29th of March, but there are two friendly matches for the Second and Third teams on Saturday. The Seconds will be travelling to local rivals Morganians looking to avenge the home defeat they suffered earlier in the season. The Thirds will also be enjoying a rare outing away at Wiveliscombe. Both games kick-off at 2:30pm.
On Sunday morning the Colts will be at home against Yatton, whilst the under 7s to 11s will also be at home against Minehead. Matches should start from 10:30am onwards.