Pethy close the gap on the top two with hard fought victory in Bath

North Petherton were made to work hard for their victory at bottom club Old Sulians at the weekend, but thanks to a good performance from their forwards, they picked up what could turn out to be a very important 2 points. This victory moved Petherton level on points with second placed Tor, who lost at Bristol Harlequins, and just 1 point behind leaders Burnham, who lost at Stothert & Pitt.

In a near scoreless first-half both sides had their chances to score, with Pethy counter attacking well but failing to put their chances away due to mistakes and penalties given away. However, a Tom Williams penalty gave Pethy a 3-0 half-time lead.

After the break the points started to come for the visitors, firstly through captain Lloyd Williams, who exploited a gap in the home defence to score a try, and a further penalty from Tom Williams, which gave Pethy a decisive lead. The standard of play again dropped during the middle of the half, before hooker Sam Williams finished off some excellent driving play by the forwards. Sulians then scored a late try through their winger to get themselves on the scoreboard. Read the match report here.

Pethy remain in third place with their re-arranged match against Tor now due to be played next weekend. The other results from Somerset Premier can be seen below.

Tribute Somerset Premier Results - Saturday 31st January 2009

Avon 17 - 0 Midsomer Norton
Bristol Harlequins 47 - 7 Tor
Chard 17 - 0 Winscombe
Old Sulians 5 - 18 North Petherton
Stothert & Pitt 31 - 24 Burnham on Sea

North Petherton Seconds lost their league encounter away at Chard and have now slipped to seventh place in Somerset Three South, although they do have games in hand on the teams above them. All of the weekends results can be seen below.

Tribute Somerset Three South Results - Saturday 31st January 2009

Burnham on S II 27 - 17 Minehead Barbarians III
Castle Cary 11 - 5 Tor III
North Petherton II 7 - 32 Chard III
Weston-s-Mare III 83 - 7 Winscombe III
Wiveliscombe II HWO Wells III

North Petherton's Thirds travelled to Frome for what was very much a game of social rugby, which started with Pethy lending their hosts a couple of players to make it 14 vs 13. The match ended up with just 12 players on each side and a good victory for the Third Team. Read the match report here.

On Sunday afternoon Petherton's Colts played in the frezzing cold and strong winds at Beggars Brook to record a convincing victory over Chew Valley. Read the match report here.

This coming weekend sees Petherton visit promotion rivals Tor in their re-arranged match from the beginning of January. The Seconds will also be on the road taking on Minehead Thirds. Both matches Kick-off at 2:30pm. The Colts are away to Weston-Super-Mare on Sunday afternoon, kick-off 2:00pm.