NPRFC - 1st XV vs Okehampton

In their final league game of the season Petherton came up just short against a team that has been in the top four all season. Petherton had numerous chances but inexperience and lack of composure ultimately cost them the game.

A large crowd witnessed a mixed afternoon of rugby played in perfect conditions but the organised visitors held out for a deserved victory. Pethy got off to a flying start and immediately put Oakehampton under pressure. Strong runs from Angel, Brown and the Ranson's put Petherton under their opponent's posts but impatience allowed the away side to clear their lines. Pethertons play was slick and entertaining and in the 20th minute they were rewarded with Matt Ranson scrambling over out wide, Harry Roberts drilled over the conversion.

Oakehamptons forced their way back in to the game through their athletic back three as Petherton kicked wildly to them and from one of the miss-placed kicks Oakehampton counter attacked from their ten yard line, slipped through tackles to dot down under the posts to level the scores 7-7.

The remainder of the half was played in midfield until the 39th minute when Petherton were left exposed and ran out of cover after Oakehampton shifted the overworked home defence to score again under the posts. The half time score 7-14.

Petherton picked up their play in the second half with the play being shifted around the park with Hallaran and Carter creating space for others. Oakehampton showed why they have remained in the top half by defending with composure and being smarter at the breakdown.

The visitors attacked well from a broken field and scored again in the 65th minute in the corner after Matt Brown had been sin binned.

The remainder of the game was played in the visitors 22 with Petherton pounding away at their opponents. The Pethy lineout was working well and their organisation at the driving maul was causing Oakehampton problems. A lineout 15 metres out was expertly controlled and Sam Williams finished off an excellent score, Roberts Converted. The final five minutes showed Petherton's inexperience as they camped themselves on the visitors line but failed to cross it as aggressive defence hurried and panicked the Pethy players. The players and crowd were both left disappointed with the match but not with the season.

The team finished with a point's difference of plus 124, the supporters have witnessed some high quality rugby, excellent tries and free flowing rugby. Pethy finished a creditable seventh but have run many of the teams above them close and given them some of their toughest games.

Many players have experienced this level for the first time and showed they cannot only be competitive but next season should be striving for a top two slot. After a slow start to the season with many mixed results Petherton produced a run in that matched the top three teams.

		16th April 2011 - Tribute Western Counties West: North Petherton 14 v 19 Okehampton Report by Simon Freeman In their final league game of the season Petherton came up just short against a team that has been in the top four all season. Petherton had numerous chances but inexperience and lack of composure ultimately cost them the game. A large crowd witnessed a mixed afternoon of rugby played in perfect conditions but the organised visitors held out for a deserved victory. Pethy got off to a flying start and immediately put Oakehampton under pressure. Strong runs from Angel, Brown and the Ranson's put Petherton under their opponent's posts but impatience allowed the away side to clear their lines. Pethertons play was slick and entertaining and in the 20th minute they were rewarded with Matt Ranson scrambling over out wide, Harry Roberts drilled over the conversion. Oakehamptons forced their way back in to the game through their athletic back three as Petherton kicked wildly to them and from one of the miss-placed kicks Oakehampton counter attacked from their ten yard line, slipped through tackles to dot down under the posts to level the scores 7-7. The remainder of the half was played in midfield until the 39th minute when Petherton were left exposed and ran out of cover after Oakehampton shifted the overworked home defence to score again under the posts. The half time score 7-14. Petherton picked up their play in the second half with the play being shifted around the park with Hallaran and Carter creating space for others. Oakehampton showed why they have remained in the top half by defending with composure and being smarter at the breakdown. The visitors attacked well from a broken field and scored again in the 65th minute in the corner after Matt Brown had been sin binned. The remainder of the game was played in the visitors 22 with Petherton pounding away at their opponents. The Pethy lineout was working well and their organisation at the driving maul was causing Oakehampton problems. A lineout 15 metres out was expertly controlled and Sam Williams finished off an excellent score, Roberts Converted. The final five minutes showed Petherton's inexperience as they camped themselves on the visitors line but failed to cross it as aggressive defence hurried and panicked the Pethy players. The players and crowd were both left disappointed with the match but not with the season. The team finished with a point's difference of plus 124, the supporters have witnessed some high quality rugby, excellent tries and free flowing rugby. Pethy finished a creditable seventh but have run many of the teams above them close and given them some of their toughest games. Many players have experienced this level for the first time and showed they cannot only be competitive but next season should be striving for a top two slot. After a slow start to the season with many mixed results Petherton produced a run in that matched the top three teams.

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