Pethy lose Good Friday cup match for a second year in a row

10/04/09 - Caroline Mitchell Memorial Cup: Taunton II 12 v 0 North Petherton

Report by Russell Williams

It was the turn of North Petherton to visit Taunton’s Hyde Park ground this Good Friday, for what promised to be an exciting renewal of the annual Caroline Mitchell Memorial Match. Petherton travelled with what was effectively a club XV, with Pethy currently carrying a number of first team injuries five keen and willing players being drafted in from Bridgwater and Albion to bolster the squad.

From the outset, it was evident that this was going to be a somewhat scrappy affair, playing on a rain softened pitch and with a ball that resembled a slippery eel. Taunton began the game the liveliest, and after only 5 minutes it took a last gasp try saving tackle from flanker Gavin ‘Wolfman’ Wolfe to prevent Taunton from going over in the corner for the opener. This appeared to wake the Pethy players up, and after a number of good phases, Pethy missed the opportunity to take the lead with Tom Williams missing what should have been a regulation penalty from in front of the posts. Over the next ten minute, it was pleasing to see one of the new Pethy recruits, Fireman Sam Harding, putting in some solid runs and powerhouse tackles in the centre of the park. However, this was all in vain as Pethy found themselves deep inside their own 22 on the 20th minute following good positional kicking from Taunton and sloppy handling from Pethy centre Rob Havill. An attempted box kick from the Pethy scrum half was charged down and Taunton pounced to score an unconverted try in the corner. Pethy lost Taylor for a ten minute spell in the bin for apparently striking a Taunton prop who was seen to be stamping in a ruck, for which the Referee took no action. A surprise change came early in the match when Sam Williams went off with a knock to the leg, Miles McNeillie came on as his replacement at hooker.

The remainder of the first half saw Pethy put the Taunton 22 under almost constant pressure, with Wolfman, Simon Ranson and Mike Taylor doing a lot of good work for Pethy in the engine room; were it not for some costly knock-on’s, Pethy would surely have got themselves on the board. Despite this, Taunton defended their line like Trojans, and their valiant work rate should be commended. Pethy went into the break 5-0 down.

Half time saw a change in the back line for Pethy, who welcomed back Bridgwater’s James ‘Lurch’ Carter to the club after a spell in the wilderness, he replaced captain Lloyd Williams, with Tom Williams moving to fly half and Rob Havill switching to full back. The second half saw a more open game of rugby, with some end to end running and counter attacks from both teams. Pethy began spreading the ball wide through the hands, with Carter in particular introducing some aggression and good running into the backs. However poor Pethy handling again saw good opportunities lost through knock-on’s.

Pethy made a further change shortly into the half, with Ben Tracey coming on to replace Lennox at no. 9, this appeared to give Pethy another dynamic, with good breaks from around the scrum and ruck, together with quick ball.

Throughout the second half Taunton appeared more comfortable in running the ball back at Pethy, with their No. 11 in particular making some dangerous breaks down the left hand wing. Ten minutes into the half and Matt Ranson came on for Pethy replacing the Wolfman at 6 who had had a storming game in the back row. The change saw Ranson making some surging runs up the middle of the park, supported by brother Simon and prop Harley Brown. This hard work again fell in vain when the Taunton 10 put up a high ball from within his own half, Pethy winger Jamie Adams was unable to handle the high, hanging kick and with the ball being knocked back towards the Pethy line, the Taunton winger popped the ball off to a somewhat speedy second rower who outpaced the Pethy defence to score a converted try under the posts. Further changes were made for Pethy, with captain Lloyd Williams appearing through the murky rain to replace Tom Williams, who had appeared to have been suffering for most of the game. Sam Williams also made a re-appearance, replacing McNeillie at hooker who had been solid in all departments.

A lesser team would have seen this break away try as the final blow, but strong heart from Pethy saw them continue to pressure the Taunton line, and with ten minutes left, prop Harley brown was held up over the Taunton line. Continued errors gave Taunton the opportunity to clear their lines and the final ten was played out in the middle of the park. With 5 minutes to go Dean Cheffey replaced Sam Tozer in the backs. The remainder was stop start and no further points were scored with the referee blowing for time.

It was an entertaining affair at Hyde Park, with Taunton running out what can be considered fortunate 12-0 winners and collectors of the Caroline Mitchell Memorial trophy for 2009. There were the usual stand out players for Pethy, and the recruits in the form of Matt & Simon Ranson, Tracey, Cheffey and Carter all deserve a mention. Pethy will no doubt be looking to avenge the defeat when it is Taunton’s turn to travel to Beggars Brook for Good Friday 2010.

HT: 5-0

Tries:

Cons:

Pens:

Drop Goals:

Team: 15. T.Williams (Rep. Cheffey, 70), 14. Tozer, 13. Harding, 12. Havill, 11. Adams, 10. L.Williams (Rep. Carter, 40), 9. Lennox (Rep. Tracey, 60), 1. Kingston, 2. S.Williams (Rep. McNeillie, 15), 3. H.Brown, 4. Gingell, 5. Tew, 6. Wolfe (Rep M.Ranson, 50), 7. Taylor, 8. S.Ranson.