Pethy warm up for promotion play-off with a win

With second place in the Somerset Premier already assured and a promotion play-off at Southmead next Saturday to look forward to, North Petherton rounded off their league campaign with an error-strewn victory over Chew Valley. It was not a great game to watch as Pethy struggled to impose themselves on the visitors, who were clearly up for the contest. Pethy took the lead midway through the first half when Lloyd Williams converted a penalty, and he was unlucky to see another one re-bound off the posts before Chew Valley took a half-time lead after good pressure by the Valley forwards ended with their captain forcing his way over from close range.

After the break Petherton struggled to get out of their half and Chew Valley were looking good value for their 5-3 lead, which they narrowly failed to extend. Pethy were clearly putting in the effort but their play was forced and constant handling mistakes were made, although some strong tackling and rucking by the visitors also contributed to this. Petherton did eventually gain some ground inside the visitors half and forced a succession of penalties. With normal kicker Tom Williams not playing, Lloyd Williams struggled to hit the target with the first 2 attempts before hitting the post again with the third kick.

Fortunately, this did not deter the hosts and they finally broke free of the Chew defence after the diminutive Sam Tozer collected a clearance kick on the Chew 10 metre line and set off on a mazy run towards the posts. He was hauled down within metres of the line, but quick support play saw the ball passed swiftly out to the right wing for colt Jamie Adams to score his first try for the First team. Having missed some comparitively easy kicks, Lloyd Williams then nailed the conversion from the touchline, giving Pethy a vital 5-point cushion that they held on to for the remainder of the match. Read the match report here.

In other results, Wells completed their recent resurgence with victory at Avon, a win which saw them climb out of the bottom two and relegate the home side instead of themselves. Just like last season, Pethy again finished a point behind Burnham in second place, their highest ever league position. All of the weekends results can be seen below.

Tribute Somerset Premier Results - Saturday 18th April 2009

Avon 10 - 25 Wells
Bristol Harlequins 20 - 5 Midsomer Norton
Chard 46 - 21 Stothert & Pitt
North Petherton 10 - 5 Chew Valley
Tor 33 - 12 Winscombe

North Petherton Seconds season finished with a bit of a whimper, losing to a bolstered Tor Third team on the 11th of April, before being handed a walkover victory by the same opposition this weekend after they were unable to raise a side. However, the 2 points gained for this ensured a fourth place finish in Somerset Three South, which given the up and down nature of their season, represents a reasonable outcome for the Seconds, although they finished well behind the top three sides. All of the last 2 weekends results can be seen below.

Tribute Somerset Three South Results - Saturday 11th April 2009

Chard III 46 - 14 Wellington III
Tor III 22 - 7 North Petherton II
Winscombe III 13 - 25 Wiveliscombe II

Tribute Somerset Three South Results - Saturday 18th April 2009

Chard III HWO Winscombe III
North Petherton II HWO Tor III
Wellington III 15 - 8 Morganians
Wiveliscombe II 5 - 26 Castle Cary

Having been promoted from Somerset One at the end of last season, Pethy have probably exceeded everyone's expectations for this year, which were mostly to consolidate their position in a higher league. One more win next weekend at Southmead and they will gain promotion to Western Counties North, a level that the club has never played at before. This match promises to be incredibly tough against a side whom they lost heavily to last season in the EDF Junior Vase. The match kicks-off at 2:30PM.