Last minute conversion by Tom Williams snatches victory for Pethy

14/02/09 - Tribute Somerset Premier: North Petherton 30 v 28 Bristol Harlequins

Report by Lloyd Williams

Pethy were out to revenge a poor performance when they travelled to Bristol Harlequins earlier in the season, where they were bullied out of the game in the first 10 minutes and never really got back into the fixture. This time out there was no shortage of harsh words in the changing room before kick off, this over keenness to stand their ground and not to be bullied may have effected their decision making and resulted in too many unforced errors. A good sized crowd turned out to watch this important match, which included many Albion players, out supporting their ex- team mates.

The first half playing up the hill, Pethy got off to a good start with some strong running and clever tactical kicking resulting in early territory. However, after clearing their half and stealing possession, the visitors were awarded a penalty which was well taken. This got Pethy going and good play through both backs and forwards, offloading the ball in the contact, saw them gain good territory. After wave after wave of attack the ball was shipped wide and Tom Williams sent through a clever chip which he won the race to and dived over to score. He converted.

Both teams went through a spell of unforced errors and the constant noise of the ref’s whistle made for a very poor sector of the game. During this time Tom Williams unusually missed a penalty shot on goal. Then Pethy began a phase where they were getting outnumbered on the flanks due to mix ups in midfield, this allowed the visitors to get deep into the Pethy 22m. With the Pethy scrums under huge pressure, by a well drilled visiting scrum, and after a turnover for a scrum going 90 degrees, the visitors had a 5m scrum. Which they wheeled well, allowing the number 8 to pick up and score pretty much unaided, it was converted. Pethy soon got back on the scoreboard with an easy penalty by Tom Williams.

After this Pethy seemed to be containing the visitors and taking control of the game, however they were caught napping again out wide, allowing the strong visiting fullback time and space on the ball, beating several tackles he went on a scoring run, which was unconverted. The rest of the half Pethy got to grips with the strong running fullback and returned to their normal solid defence.

Within about 5 minutes of the restart, Ben Williams had to be replaced by Gavin Wolfe, after he was still suffering from a collision in the later part of the first half. After a good run by Matt Foad down his wing, Pethy found themselves deep in the visitors 22m. After several penalties for killing the ball and being offside the visitors were defending their line. After several waves of attacks by the forwards, Pethy saw Harley Brown dive over for what looked like a score, the ref disallowed it and awarded a scrum, the same happened once more with Matt Brown crashing over, held up again, however from the next scrum, Pethy suddenly dominated and got the drive on, only 2 meters from the line the visitors collapsed it and the ref without hesitation awarded a penalty try which Tom Williams converted.

This put Pethy in the lead. At this point Ben Harvey replaced veteran workhorse Mike Coles.

However after yet another poor restart, in which Pethy lost possession, the visitors worked their way up into the Pethy 22m. After a couple of phases of attack, normally a very solid area of defence, Pethy defenders around the ruck fell for dummy and the visitors captain and scrum half scored under the posts, which was converted.

The next 10 minutes the Pethy forwards really got going, with the added ball carrying ability of Ben Harvey they began to make inroads into the Harlequins defence. However constant penalties by both sides saw the phases in play never getting above more than 2 or 3 at any one time.

With time ticking away Tom Williams missed one relatively easy penalty, but was given another chance soon after which he slotted. However another poor restart relieved all the territory and pressure, eventually allowing the visitors to kick their own penalty, which restored the 8 points lead.

With about 10 minutes to play, the crowd were sensing that Pethy were rapidly running out of time, a good spell of play saw Pethy get into the visitors 22m with several good runs in the back line and the running back of clearance kicks by the visitors. With two scores required, captain Lloyd Williams and most of the crowd selected Tom Williams to kick the first penalty they received, which he did, leaving 4 minutes on the clock.

The first kickoff of the match that Pethy took well, allowed them to attack straight away. Keeping the ball in hand and running everything, Pethy through all they had at the Harlequins defence. With time almost up they eventually reached the visitor 22m, they ball was flung out left across the pitch and the attack ended midfield, however a penalty was awarded, which Lloyd Williams took quickly and headed off to the already fairly organised defence. He fed the rampaging Sam Williams, who hit a slight gap at pace, he continued to the 5m line after being driven on by his supporting team mates. Quick ball fed out blind by Ben Harvey, who not renowned for his passing ability and normally not encouraged to, finding Russ Williams who lowered his head and crashed through several players to score, drawing the match, to the relief of all. Tom Williams stepped up to take the conversion, on his weaker side and after an average day with the boot, with a chance to win the match. There were flash backs to the match against Tor where he slotted the final kick of the game to win by one point. No one was sure of the kick until the touch judge’s flags were raised and the loud cheer of the crowd went up, a successful conversion saw Pethy win by 2 points.

Pethy players and crowd were certainly drained after the match and all admitted that they made extremely hard work of the game which they could have dominated better. The constant mistakes at crucial times cost Pethy territory and possession too many times, penalties also had the same effect. Harlequins had a powerful front five that dominated the scrum for most of the game, not something that happens to the Pethy pack often, however the pack will certainly be hitting the scrum machine for the next couple of weeks in preparation for Tor in 2 weeks. The backs found it hard going again in attack without the quick and clean ball they require to unleash the speed available out wide. The backs had patches were their defence wasn’t its normal abrasive and organised self, this also went for the whole team’s defence, which unusually allowed the odd patch of daylight to pass through it.

But as many said in the clubhouse a win is a win, but there was no need to leave it that late.

HT: 10-15

Tries: T.Williams, Penalty Try, R.Williams

Cons: T.Williams (3)

Pens: T.Williams (3)

Drop Goals:

Team: 15. T.Williams, 14. B.Williams (Rep.Wolfe, 45), 13. Havill, 12. R.Williams, 11. Foad, 10. Lloyd Williams, 9. Lennox, 1. Angel, 2. S.Williams, 3. H.Brown, 4. Gingell, 5. Coles (Rep. Harvey, 50), 6.Tarr, 7. Taylor, 8. M.Brown. Rep Unused: Prescott