13th February 2011 - Somerset Cup - Quarter Final:

North Petherton 20 v 39 Taunton

Report by Simon Freeman

Petherton nearly pulled off what would arguably have been their biggest scalp in many years at a lively Beggars Brook. The game was played in a constant downpour and to the credit of all the players both teams produced some fluid rugby. The final score rather flatters the visitors, as there were only two points between the teams until the 70th minute writes Simon Freeman.
Taunton started the game more convincingly and tested Pethertons defence with series of plays that finished with Pethy conceding a penalty on the 22 in front of the posts which the Taunton full back slotted over. On fifteen minutes Taunton extended their lead after their strong set piece put them in for a score on the opposite side from where it began, with the extras being added. Petherton finally got in the Taunton half on 20 minutes and camped themselves close to the visitors line for numerous phases. Taunton’s defence held firm until a one handed flick pass by Sam Williams put James Cox in who beat the scrambling defence from 20 metres.
Petherton gathered the restart, went through a couple of phases and then gift wrapped Taunton 7 points by having a kick charged down inside their twenty two. Taunton continued to apply pressure and force mistakes from the Petherton players and from a 5-yard scrum Taunton’s match-winning number 8 dived over in the corner. On 35 minutes with the score board reading 5-22 Petherton regrouped and won a lineout just inside the visitors 22, a clean catch, superb organisation and a strong drive and the National 2 side could only watch as Petherton impressively scored in the corner with Matt Brown at the bottom for a score which all of the front 8 contributed to. The half time score 10-22.

The second half began as a golden 25 minutes for Pethy as they turned the tables and put pressure on Taunton, two of the visitors were sent to the sin-bin for indiscipline and the home side set about them. A typically abrasive charge by Aaron Gibbs who bounced off two Taunton players, which took him to within 5 yards of the line, a skilful off-load to Toby Harris who dived over the line to send the home supporters delirious, Harry Roberts converted. Petherton now playing with confidence and belief pinned the visitors back in to their 22 and pressure from Simon Gingell forced the opponents to concede a penalty, Harry Roberts added the three points, bringing Petherton to within 2 points of the visitors.
This time it was Taunton who regrouped and they started to run the ball with pace particularly when attacking from right to left, Petherton were now defending desperately and Taunton began to find holes in an overworked defence and in the 70th minute scored a relieving try. The final few minutes saw Taunton cross over twice more which gives the false impression of a comfortable victory. Even in the last moments Pethy continued to play attacking rugby and with their team spirit and tireless work for each other they continue to improve on a weekly basis. The last word belonging to Captain for the day James Carter ‘all the boys can hold their heads high and for 65 minutes we couldn’t tell the difference between the sides, I’m very proud of the boys and that’s the standard we should strive for’.

An excellent day again at the club with all the money raised going to the Jim Clatworthy appeal.

Match Sponser: Bill Frost of Frost Paving

Next week Petherton are at home to Devenport Services who are two places above them and five points ahead.