Pethy defeat early league leaders after another good display

27/09/08 - Tribute Somerset Premier: Wells 17 v 23 North Petherton

Report by Lloyd Williams

Still with many injuries and players fighting for a position, there were a few changes from the week before. Adam Harvey and Ben Tarr were injured against Stothert and Pitt, Chris Burge was injured mid-week during intense rugby training when trying out for the Marine’s side and Matt Angel took a backwards step in his recovery from an ankle injury. Last seasons Player’s player and powerhouse, Mike Coles had to settle for a place in the seconds, due to the form of Simon Gingell and James Lees. As a result Rob Havill and Josh Perrin were recalled to the starting line up and Steve Potter to the bench, along with the ever patient Andy Long who has been on the bench every match so far without fuss, due to the form of Sam Williams.

Winning the toss, Pethy played up the slope with the sun behind them. The kick off was unusually allowed to bounce, but gathered in quickly. After a couple of pick and goes by the forwards to steady the ship and gain a bit of composure, the ball was released to Lloyd Williams who had Sam Williams and Matt Brown on his shoulder. What followed will be a great contender for try of the season if not several seasons. Lloyd Williams fed Sam Williams who drew the defender and released Matt Brown, even though well tackled the ball was off loaded and it then went through several more hands, again contact loomed and the ball continued to be kept alive. Simon Gingell popped up to play a vital role, normally known for his direct running, again sent a well timed pass out, eventually Ben Williams received the ball inside the opposition 22m and was off. The fullback covered well and tackled Ben just before the try line, but yet again the ball was off loaded, this time back to Sam Williams who had chased the ball throughout, and he was through untouched to put the ball down under the posts. At least 10 players got their hands on the ball during this wonderful try. Tom Williams converted. 0-7 in less than 5 minutes of play.

The restart was much better and this time it was released to Harley Brown, who went on the rampage, Pethy soon found themselves in the opposition 22m, the home side conceded a penalty to stop the momentum of the attack, which Tom Williams slotted. 0-10. The next restart was not so good and the home team eventually ended up with a scrum. After several phases they had another scrum in the middle of the pitch just outside of the Pethy 22m. With the Pethy backline flying up to close the gap the home team’s fly half put a clever chip through and their captain and centre was first on the ball and dived over to score, it was well converted. 7-10.

The rest of the half was end to end stuff, both sides getting into scoring positions but the defences held. Tom Williams slotted a penalty mid way through, after some huge pressure by the forwards. He also put in a couple of try saving tackles. The forwards were beginning to take total control of the scrum, often driving the opposition back and turning over the ball. There was a great opportunity to score when Rob Havill broke clear on the half way and opened his legs, he was just brought down on the try line and was unable to pop the ball up to Lloyd Williams who dived over the line hoping for the ball, unfortunately it didn’t arrive, the defence swarmed in and stopped the attack.

Just before half time the home team slotted a penalty of they're own. There was with just enough time for the restart, it had such good height that Matt Brown was able to get underneath it, unusually getting way off the ground Brown rose above everyone and knocked the ball backwards, Harley Brown was first to react and dived on the ball on the 10m line, a call came from Lloyd Williams and Harley Brown popped it up to him who took it into the crowd of forwards, catching them by surprise he jinked his way through into space, now at full tilt, the opposition backs were unable to cover across and he scored under the posts. Tom Williams converted. H/T 10-20.

It was not long before Tom Williams had a shot at goal in the second half, unfortunately it just curved wide. The forwards were in rampant form and the opposition scrums were going backwards at a rate of knots. With the constant pressure early on, the home side conceded another penalty in their half, this time Tom Williams was successful, 10-23. The home team had to rely on more of a kicking game to clear they lines and gain territory, and Pethy would work their way back down the field mainly through the hard work of the forwards.

A combination of breaks lead to the home teams try. The first Wells had a scrum deep in their half that was travelling backwards, fast, but they managed to get it out to their winger who tip toed his way up the line into space, he then chipped through, it was gathered in by Tom Williams who put the ball safely out. The result line was won back by the forwards who drove on a couple of phases and again were in the Wells half, searching for better position Lloyd Williams sent a kick through that rebounded heavily off a Wells player, and ended up behind Pethy’s attacking line, in the arms of a Wells player, play was allowed to continue and he was off towards the try Line. Pethy players managed to track him down, but the home team were eventually awards a 5m scrum. The scrum wheeled and the 8 pick and went, a combination of Matt Brown and Lloyd Williams seemed to hold the ball up over the line, but the try awarded. It was well converted, 17 – 23.

The rest of the play, Pethy were camped deep in the Wells half, they had several penalties wide out, but with the form of the forwards especially in the rolling mauls, a kick to the corner was elected, unfortunately when it matter the line outs were lost, due to a odd miss understanding of the call or the light weight Wells jumpers getting to the ball first.

There was one real change of a score when Steve Potter came on for Ben Williams. Potter received a ball on the home teams 22m and charged off down the wing, brushing off a couple of tackles he looked to be in and but was tackle just short, he reached for the line, realising he was short tried to pop to Sam Williams, but the pass was just out of reach.

With the last play of the game, Wells through one more attack at Pethy. The fast replacement that had been brought on in the closing stages was in space and clear. Josh Perrin tracked back and haled him down with Tom Williams in support, they were both on their feet quickly and the attacker was guilty of not releasing the ball. The ball was kicked out and the score remained 17 – 23.

The forwards were outstanding, both in attack and defence. Mike Taylor had an excellent game putting in many big tackles, Harley Brown was hitting rucks like no tomorrow. The backs had a solid game, but still not quite set in all areas. Tom Williams was a rock at the back and Josh Perrin got his hands on the ball a bit more and is beginning to show what he can do when given a bit of space. The Havill and Foad pairing in the centre were as solid as last season, absorbing the runs of the powerful and strong home teams centre.

There were three main reasons why Pethy came away with the win, the first the dominance of the pack. The second was that they hardly turned the ball over, there was the odd knock on or poor kick, but in it always came back in the contact area. Lastly the discipline was excellent, penalties were cut dramatically from previous weeks.

This week is home to Chard and the official launch of the new kit. All the shirt sponsors have been invited down for the match.

It was a massive disappointment for the thirds again this week, the opposition were unable to raise aside, which has happened for both of their fixtures so far this season. Cammy Kirk has put a lot of work into dragging ex players back and recruiting a few new faces, to fulfil third team fixtures. This week they are to play Morg’s 2nd. It will great for the club to get the third teams running and a few of the ex first teamers from years gone could do with the exercise.

H/T: 10-20

Tries: S.Williams, L.Williams

Cons: T.Williams (2)

Pens: T.Williams (3)

Drop Goals:

Team: 15. T.Williams, 14. B.Williams (Rep. S.Potter, 65), 13. Havill, 12. Foad, 11. Perrin, 10. Lloyd Williams, 9. Rybaruk, 1. Prescott (Rep. M.Burge, 55), 2. S.Williams, 3. H.Brown, 4. Lees, 5. Gingell, 6. Taylor, 7. Robinson, 8. M.Brown. Rep Unused: Long