Strong defence is key to fifth victory of the season

North Petherton won a tough match away at Avon on Saturday to keep their good start to the season going ahead of their home fixture against league leaders Tor this coming weekend. Pethy's Second and Third teams fared less well, with the Seconds losing narrowly at home to league leaders Weston Thirds, and the Thirds well beaten by their counterparts from Ivel Barbarians. However, North Petherton's Colts kept their unbeaten run going with another crushing victory, this time away at Midsomer Norton on Sunday afternoon.

It was not a great performance by Pethy at Avon, although the bad weather conditions made it difficult for both sides to play a wide game, and the second half of the match was scoreless as Pethy defended their line with good intensity to hold out for the win. Pethy's points came again from the assured kicking of full-back Tom Williams and a try by Hooker Sam Williams. Read the match report here.

Tor kept hold of top spot in Somerset Premier with another convincing victory, this time over Old Sulians, who remain rooted to the foot of the table without a win so far this season. Burnham remain second in the table after winning at Wells, and Bristol Harlequins in third and Pethy in fourth are now just one point behind them after their victories at the weekend. All of the weekends results can be seen below.

Tribute Somerset Premier Results - Saturday 1st November 2008

Avon 3 - 10 North Petherton
Bristol Harlequins 56 - 12 Winscombe
Chard 14 - 13 Chew Valley
Old Sulians 7 - 28 Tor
Stothert & Pitt 8 - 21 Midsomer Norton
Wells 3 - 13 Burnham on Sea

North Petherton Seconds good run of form came to a disappointing end as they failed to finish off Weston Thirds when 15-12 up, wasting good positions with some poor decision making before being caught out with a late try to lose the match and a chance of going top of the league.

In other Somerset Three results, Weston's win meant that they kept hold of top spot on points difference from Wiveliscombe Seconds, who picked up a big win at Minehead. Castle Cary kept their 100% record going with victory at Chard, although having only played five matches so far, they are still two points behind the leaders in fifth place. Morganians in third are the other side to be level on points with the leaders after they beat winscombe Thirds. Pethy have dropped to sixth place in the table but remain only two points off top spot. All of the weekends results can be seen below.

Tribute Somerset Three South Results - Saturday 1st November 2008

Chard III 6 - 14 Castle Cary
Minehead Barbarians III 24 - 61 Wiveliscombe II
North Petherton II 15 - 19 Weston-s-Mare III
Wellington III 12 - 17 Burnham on S II
Wells III P Tor III
Winscombe III 7 - 26 Morganians

Whilst they were well beaten in the end, Third Team Captain Cameron Kirk was not too disappointed after the Thirds lost for the first time this season against Ivel Barbarians. Ivel were just a bit fitter and quicker than Pethy's veterans, who ran out of steam towards the end of the match allowing Ivel to pile on the points in the last 20 minutes for a comfortable win. Read the match report here.

This coming Saturday is the North Petherton Carnival and it promises to be a busy day at the club and in the village. There will be two home games as the Firsts take on unbeaten Tor and the Colts face local rivals Bridgwater and Albion. Both matches kick-off at 2:30pm.