Pethy produce great second half comeback

31/10/09 - Tribute Western Counties West: North Petherton 23 v 16 Devonport Services

Report by Lloyd Williams

This week’s match was kindly sponsored by The Lamb, North Petherton, Jim and his regulars enjoyed a buffet before the game, and also provided the players with some refreshments after the match!

The first half was certainly not what Pethy had intended, the visitors score first, after poor defence, resulting in the visitors getting an easy overlap and scoring under the posts which was converted. The visitor during the rest of the first half kept the scoreboard moving, they missed a couple of penalties and drop goals attempts, but were successful with 2 long range penalties and a drop goal that was going to miss low, but hit Matt Ranson on the head and flew over. Tom Williams was successful with his second attempt, getting Pethy on the scoreboard.

Pethy did look dangerous and were putting the phases together, but a combination of the visitors 10’s boots which was accurately pinning Pethy back again when ever he had time and space and silly handling errors were costing Pethy dearly just as they were getting near the visitors 22m line. They also had several opportunities to expose an often out numbered defence out wide, after good inroad by the forwards created massive overlaps, but Pethy on the odd occasion were guilty of not playing what’s in front of them and adapting their game plan.

Just before half time Matt Brown was yellow carded, this seemed to give Pethy the incentive to finally get the try. After a penalty kick to the corner and a solid forward dive, Matt Ranson crashed his way over. Tom Williams continued the off day with the boot and narrowly missed the conversion.

Just before Brown returned Pethy scored their second try. Andy Webber finished off an excellent try, which went through several backs hands including his own.  The ball went side to side a couple of time and saw a couple of half breaks. Eventually Tom Williams made the clean break, Webber was in close support and took the ball close to the posts, for Tom to easily convert.

Still behind Pethy began to dominate the game, the pack where beginning to push the visitors scrum backwards at a rate and the backs were looking more and more dangerous as the spaces began to appear.

During Pethy’s dominate period, all they had to show was a Tom Williams penalty.

Midway through the second half after great play in the backline a break went down the left and a try seemed on the cards if the ball could be recycled before the defence got back. However the visitors 12 was guilty of not releasing the ball. He was yellow carded. Captain Lloyd Williams decided to kick to the corner, putting faith in the ever improving lineout. The forwards made easy work of the catch and drive, resulting in colt Toby Harris diving over for the score. Tom Williams was unlucky with the conversion.

That’s how it ended, Pethy dominating possession and territory, much the reverse of the start of the match.

Vets Mike Coles and Andy Webber had good games, as did young Toby Harris, clearly demonstrating he can hold his own at this level. The bench of Pocock, Goodwin and McNeillie, all made an impact when they were introduced to the game.

A good victory on the whole after a poor weeks training. The toughest test so far this week, away to undefeated table toppers Kingsbridge. Pethy are away on Carnival night for the first time in a long long time, causing a few issues with transport back into the village after the match.

HT: 8-16

Tries: Ranson, Webber, T.Harris

Cons: T.Williams

Pens: T.Williams (2)

Drop Goals:

Team: 15. T.Williams, 14. Tracey, 13. C.Burge, 12. Webber (Rep. Goodwin, 70), 11. L.Williams, 10. Hallaran, 9. M.Ranson, 1. Coles, 2. S.Williams (Rep. Pocock, 75), 3. Prescott, 4. Lees, 5. Gingell, 6. T.Harris, 7. Tarr (Rep. McNeillie, 70), 8. M.Brown.