Improved scrum and mean defence leads to comfortable win over Chew Valley

North Petherton chalked up their fifth league win in a row to help put behind them their disappointing cup exit from the previous weekend. A vast improvement in their work at the breakdown and a continually improving scrummage provided the platform for a good victory over a Chew Valley side who are currently fifth in the table.

Pethy fell 6-0 behind after conceding two penalties during the early exchanges on cold and dreary afternoon in Bristol. However, they responded with two tries through full-back Tom Williams and flanker Mike Taylor to lead 12-6 at the break. A penalty try in the second half for Pethy, forced by some excellent scrummaging near the Chew line, and a Tom Williams penalty sealed the win for the visitors, who defended well throughout to prevent any further scores for the hosts and seal a 22-6 victory. Read the match report here.

The other results in the Somerset Premier league saw leaders Burnham-On-Sea maintain their one point lead over Tor and North Petherton with a resounding 77-0 thrashing of bottom side Old Sulians. Tor remain in second place on points difference from Pethy in third after a good away win at Winscombe. Bristol Harlequins kept up the pressure on the top three by winning at Midsomer Norton to remain in fourth place, 2 points behind Petherton. All of the weekends results can be seen below.

Tribute Somerset Premier Results - Saturday 29th November 2008

Burnham on Sea 77 - 0 Old Sulians
Chew Valley 6 - 22 North Petherton
Midsomer Norton 12 - 31 Bristol Harlequins
Stothert & Pitt A13 - 7A Chard
Wells 5 - 6 Avon
Winscombe 18 - 27 Tor

North Petherton Seconds were left frustrated but not surprised when they were handed a walkover victory by Somerset Three South's bottom side Hornets Thirds. After struggling to field a side for most of last season, they have already failed to raise a side for 5 of their ten games this season, leaving them marooned on -8 points. A much needed 2 points were awarded to Petherton who are beginning look a bit left behind in the table in sixth place, 6 points behind the top two sides Weston Thirds and Castle Cary. All of the weekends results can be seen below.

Tribute Somerset Three South Results - Saturday 29th November 2008

Burnham on S II 40 - 3 Winscombe III
Castle Cary HWO Wellington III
Hornets III AWO North Petherton II
Morganians 33 - 3 Minehead Barbarians III
Tor III 13 - 47 Chard III
Wiveliscombe II 5 - 19 Weston-s-Mare III

North Petherton's Third XV picked up their second win of the season by beating their counterparts from Burnham-On-Sea at home on Saturday afternoon. Having lost to a strong Burnham club XV the week before, Pethy were dominant throughout against their Thirds, running in tries at regular intervals to record a big 76-5 victory. Third team Captain Cameron Kirk was delighted with a good team performance in a match played in the right spirit, with plenty of the right spirits being consumed in the bar afterwards. Read the match report here.

This coming weekend North Petherton face their biggest game of the season yet when they travel to Somerset Premier leaders and local rivals Burnham-On-Sea. Burnham and Pethy, who were both promoted from Somerset One at the end of last season, have probably exceeded their expectations so far this season in being first and third respectively, and with the possibility of going or remaining top with a win, this should be a keenly contested local derby. The Seconds will also be involved in a league match against local rivals away at Morganians, who are one place and two points above Pethy in Somerset Three South. Both matches kick-off at 2:30pm.