NPRFC - 1st XV vs Kingsbridge

Pethy travelled to Kingsbridge with a much changed pack. With regular 2nd rows James Cox and Simon Gingell unavailable and props, Captain Matt Angel, on wedding duties, and Simon Ranson injured, big changes were required. George Pettingell returned after recently becoming a dad for the first time and James Lees was drafted from the 3rds following a good performance the previous weekend. Also making a return was former regular 1st team prop, Matt Burge and Nick Pocock was drafted to the bench.

Within minutes of the kick off, Mike Stevens was injured in his first contact of the game and had to be replaced by Jamie Adams who was carrying an injury, which he picked up in the warm up.

Right from the outset there was only one team were playing. Pethy conceded two tries in the first 10 minutes, in the form of the Kingsbridge No. 9 taking tap penalties from close range. The first came after a Pethy hand picked the ball from the ground in a ruck, the second a penalty on the Pethy line which he tapped a yard out and dived over the line, with the Petherton players and travelling supporters suggesting to the ref that the penalty had to be taken from the 5m line.

The home teams aggression and speed of ball, caught Pethy napping, and they really struggled to get into the match. They were out muscled in the contact, driven back in the tackle area and looked worn out after 10 minutes. All this meant that Kingsbridge’s speed of ball and tactical kicking kept Pethy on the back foot. After a while Pethy completely lost their shape in defence and leaked far too many easy tries.

To make matters worse, just before half time, Matt Brown who is also carrying an injury, replaced Aaron Gibbs who twisted his ankle.

The half time score was 40 – 0.

Stern words were said at half time from stand in captain James Carter, veteren Andy Webber and the support staff, basically saying how it was and that commitment, aggression, communication and team work had to increase massively.

The second half began with a different Pethy on the pitch. They eventually won the second half 7 – 0. Little consolation for the poorest half of rugby Pethy have played for some while.

Positives from the match, apart from the improved second half performance, were few and far between. Tom Williams had a great game in defence in the first half and caused the Kingsbridge defence all sorts of trouble in the second. Harry Roberts scored a well worked try and the introduction of Matt Brown at half time gave the team a lot of added firepower.

Pethy will be looking forward to this weekend, with a large sponsors day and a very important result required. Hopefully there will be positive selection issues with many players making themselves available.

Next Saturday's match against Newquay Hornets will be preceded by a warm up game featuring the 7s & 8s age group, with the kick off at 2.10 PM.

There is a general players meeting on Wednesday 24th November at 7.30pm. During the meeting Matt Ranson will be handing out the new sponsor kit, which he has worked hard in organising.

Team:-
1. Matt Burge (Nick Pocock – 65mins), 2. Sam Williams, 3. Kyle Prescott, 4. James Lees, 5. George Pettingell, 6. Miles McNeillie, 7. Matt Ranson, 8. Aaron Gibbs (Matt Brown – 35mins), 9. Ben Tracey, 10. Harry Roberts, 11. Michael Stevens (Jamie Adams – 5mins), 12. Andy Webber, 13. James Carter, 14. Russ Potter, 15. Tom Williams.

		20th November 2010 - Tribute Western Counties West: Kingsbridge 40 v North Petherton 7 Report by Lloyd Williams Pethy travelled to Kingsbridge with a much changed pack. With regular 2nd rows James Cox and Simon Gingell unavailable and props, Captain Matt Angel, on wedding duties, and Simon Ranson injured, big changes were required. George Pettingell returned after recently becoming a dad for the first time and James Lees was drafted from the 3rds following a good performance the previous weekend. Also making a return was former regular 1st team prop, Matt Burge and Nick Pocock was drafted to the bench. Within minutes of the kick off, Mike Stevens was injured in his first contact of the game and had to be replaced by Jamie Adams who was carrying an injury, which he picked up in the warm up. Right from the outset there was only one team were playing. Pethy conceded two tries in the first 10 minutes, in the form of the Kingsbridge No. 9 taking tap penalties from close range. The first came after a Pethy hand picked the ball from the ground in a ruck, the second a penalty on the Pethy line which he tapped a yard out and dived over the line, with the Petherton players and travelling supporters suggesting to the ref that the penalty had to be taken from the 5m line. The home teams aggression and speed of ball, caught Pethy napping, and they really struggled to get into the match. They were out muscled in the contact, driven back in the tackle area and looked worn out after 10 minutes. All this meant that Kingsbridge’s speed of ball and tactical kicking kept Pethy on the back foot. After a while Pethy completely lost their shape in defence and leaked far too many easy tries. To make matters worse, just before half time, Matt Brown who is also carrying an injury, replaced Aaron Gibbs who twisted his ankle. The half time score was 40 – 0. Stern words were said at half time from stand in captain James Carter, veteren Andy Webber and the support staff, basically saying how it was and that commitment, aggression, communication and team work had to increase massively. The second half began with a different Pethy on the pitch. They eventually won the second half 7 – 0. Little consolation for the poorest half of rugby Pethy have played for some while. Positives from the match, apart from the improved second half performance, were few and far between. Tom Williams had a great game in defence in the first half and caused the Kingsbridge defence all sorts of trouble in the second. Harry Roberts scored a well worked try and the introduction of Matt Brown at half time gave the team a lot of added firepower. Pethy will be looking forward to this weekend, with a large sponsors day and a very important result required. Hopefully there will be positive selection issues with many players making themselves available. Next Saturday's match against Newquay Hornets will be preceded by a warm up game featuring the 7s & 8s age group, with the kick off at 2.10 PM. There is a general players meeting on Wednesday 24th November at 7.30pm. During the meeting Matt Ranson will be handing out the new sponsor kit, which he has worked hard in organising. Team:- 1. Matt Burge (Nick Pocock – 65mins), 2. Sam Williams, 3. Kyle Prescott, 4. James Lees, 5. George Pettingell, 6. Miles McNeillie, 7. Matt Ranson, 8. Aaron Gibbs (Matt Brown – 35mins), 9. Ben Tracey, 10. Harry Roberts, 11. Michael Stevens (Jamie Adams – 5mins), 12. Andy Webber, 13. James Carter, 14. Russ Potter, 15. Tom Williams.

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